Sway
/sweɪ/noun
To move or cause to move slowly back and forth, or to influence someone’s opinion or actions.
Did you know?In Middle English, sway could mean to swing a weapon or even to govern and dominate, so the word once lived right at the edge of motion and control.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*swe-
“A reconstructed root associated with self, own, or one’s side”
Old English
OE
swēgan
“To move, swing, or make a noise; related to motion and force”
Middle English
ME
swayen
“To swing, wield, or cause to incline; also to dominate or rule”
14th Century
English
swaye
“To wield power, govern, or make something move from side to side”
Modern English
English
sway
“To move rhythmically back and forth, or to influence or control”
Explore more surprising origins