Backwash vs. Swash — What's the Difference?

A backward flow of water, as from the action of oars.

Swash, or forewash in geography, is a turbulent layer of water that washes up on the beach after an incoming wave has broken. The swash action can move beach materials up and down the beach, which results in the cross-shore sediment exchange.

See backrush.

A splash of water or other liquid hitting a solid surface.

A backward flow of air, as from the propeller of an aircraft.

The sound of such a splash.

A result of an event; an aftermath.

The washing of water over an expanse of sand, as after a wave breaks on a beach.

(Informal) A backward flow of liquid from the mouth into a bottle or other drinking vessel at the end of a swig.

Southeastern US A tidal channel forming a break in a beach, barrier island, or sandbar.

(nautical) The backward flow of water from oars or propeller or breaking waves.

See uprush.

The similar flow of air from an aircraft engine.

Swagger or bluster.

The result or consequence of an event; an aftermath.

A swaggering or blustering person.

The saliva, spit or food particles that have flowed back into a drink after someone has drunk from it.

To strike, move, or wash with a splashing sound.

(economics) The situation where economic growth in one area harms other areas by attracting people and business away from those areas.

To swagger.

To operate a water filter in the reverse direction in order to clean it.

To splash (a liquid).

(transitive) To affect with backwash.

To splash a liquid against.

To clean the oil from wool after combing.

The water that washes up on shore after an incoming wave has broken.

To clean the oil from (wool) after combing.

A narrow sound or channel of water lying within a sand bank, or between a sand bank and the shore, or a bar over which the sea washes.

To clean (a filter, a chromatography column, a water softener, etc.) by passing liquid through in the reverse of the normal direction of flow. This procedure dislodges particles which clog the pores of the filter or column packing, removing them from the filter or column.

A wet splashing sound.

The flow of water propelled backward by the propeller, paddle wheel, or oars of a boat.

A smooth stroke; a swish.

The backward flowing air within the wash of an airplane, caused mostly by the engine.

A swishing noise.

The flow of air that is driven backwards by an aircraft propeller

(typography) A long, protruding ornamental line or pen stroke found in some typefaces and styles of calligraphy.

The consequences of an event (especially a catastrophic event);

A streak or patch.

The wave that spreads behind a boat as it moves forward;

(obsolete) Liquid filth; wash; hog mash.

(obsolete) A blustering noise.

(obsolete) swaggering behaviour.

(obsolete) A swaggering fellow; a swasher.

(architecture) An oval figure, whose mouldings are oblique to the axis of the work.

(ambitransitive) To swagger; to act with boldness or bluster (toward).

(ambitransitive) To dash or flow noisily; to splash.

(ambitransitive) To swirl through liquid; to swish.

(intransitive) To wade forcefully through liquid.

(ambitransitive) To swipe.

(intransitive) To fall violently or noisily.

To streak, to color in a swash.

Bold; dramatic.

(typography) Having pronounced swashes.

An oval figure, whose moldings are oblique to the axis of the work.

Impulse of water flowing with violence; a dashing or splashing of water.

A narrow sound or channel of water lying within a sand bank, or between a sand bank and the shore, or a bar over which the sea washes.

Liquid filth; wash; hog mash.

A blustering noise; a swaggering behavior.

A swaggering fellow; a swasher.

Soft, like fruit too ripe; swashy.

To dash or flow noisily, as water; to splash; as, water swashing on a shallow place.

To fall violently or noisily.

To bluster; to make a great noise; to vapor or brag.

The movement or sound of water;

Make violent, noisy movements

Dash a liquid upon or against;

Show off

Act in an arrogant, overly self-assured, or conceited manner