What is the Latin word for swan?

The usual Latin words for “swan” are cycnus, odor. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

English → Latin

“swan” in Latin

cycnusa swan; a bird noted for its singing, and sacred to Apollo; a poet, especially one who sings odorA smell, perfume, stench.; Inkling, suggestion.

Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864

swan

cygnus: cycnus (Cic.); olor (Verg.); *anas olor (Linn.): swan-down, pluma cycnea (Ov.): swans’ song, cantus olorum (Plin.); cantus olorinus (Sidon.); vox cycnea (Cic., De Or., 3, 2, 6; proverbially); extremae morientis voces; tamquam cycnea vox (Cic.); carmen cygneum. All his geese are swans, arcem facit e cloaca; arces facit, or facere solet, e cloacis (after Cic.).

Quick answer

What is the Latin word for swan?: The usual Latin words for “swan” are cycnus, odor. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.