verb
swerve
swurv
verb
1
To turn suddenly away from a straight path, often to avoid hitting something.
"The driver swerved to avoid the deer in the road."
"The cyclist swerved sharply around the pothole."
noun
1
A sudden change of direction.
"One swerve of the wheel and they missed the crash by inches."
How to Use Swerve
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo suddenly veer off a straight line, usually to dodge something.
Common pairings
swerve to avoid
swerve off the road
swerve into another lane
Word Forms
swerved past tense, swerves plural, swerves singular
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The driver _____ to avoid the deer in the road.
Etymology
From Old English sweorfan, meaning "to rub, file, or turn aside" — related to old Germanic words for wiping and turning.