Definition of 'swing'

Word Frequency

swing

(swɪŋ )

Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense swings , present participle swinging , past tense, past participle swung

1. verb

If something swings or if you swing it, it moves repeatedly backwards and forwards or from side to side from a fixed point.

The sail of the little boat swung crazily from one side to the other. [VERB adverb/preposition]

She was swinging a bag containing a new dress. [VERB noun]

Ian sat on the end of the table, one leg swinging. [VERB-ing]

Synonyms: sway, rock, wave, veer More Synonyms of swing

Swing is also a noun.

...a woman walking with a slight swing to her hips.

2. verb

If something swings in a particular direction or if you swing it in that direction, it moves in that direction with a smooth, curving movement.

The torchlight swung across the little beach and out over the water, searching. [VERB preposition/adverb]

The canoe found the current and swung around. [VERB preposition/adverb]

Roy swung his legs carefully off the couch and sat up. [VERB noun preposition/adverb]

Synonyms: turn, veer, swivel, bear More Synonyms of swing

Swing is also a noun.

When he's not on the tennis court, you'll find him practising his golf swing.

3. verb

If a vehicle swings in a particular direction, or if the driver swings it in a particular direction, they turn suddenly in that direction.

Joanna swung back on to the main approach and headed for the airport. [VERB adverb/preposition]

The tyres dug into the grit as he swung the car off the road. [VERB noun preposition/adverb]

4. verb

If someone swings around, they turn around quickly, usually because they are surprised.

She swung around to him, spilling her tea without noticing it. [VERB adverb]

5. verb

If you swing at a person or thing, you try to hit them with your arm or with something that you are holding.

Blanche swung at her but she moved her head back and Blanche missed. [VERB + at]

I picked up his baseball bat and swung at the man's head. [VERB + at]

[Also V n at n]

Synonyms: hit out, strike, swipe [informal], lash out at More Synonyms of swing

Swing is also a noun.

I often want to take a swing at someone to relieve my feelings.

6. countable noun

A swing is a seat hanging by two ropes or chains from a metal frame or from the branch of a tree. You can sit on the seat and move forwards and backwards through the air.

7. uncountable noun

Swing is a style of jazz dance music that was popular in the 1930's. It was played by big bands.

8. countable noun

A swing in people's opinions, attitudes, or feelings is a change in them, especially a sudden or big change.

There was a massive swing away from the governing party in the election.

Educational practice is liable to sudden swings and changes.

Dieters suffer from violent mood swings.

Synonyms: fluctuation, change, shift, switch More Synonyms of swing

9. verb

If people's opinions, attitudes, or feelings swing, they change, especially in a sudden or extreme way.

In two years' time there is a presidential election, and the voters could swing again. [VERB]

The mood amongst Tory MPs seems to be swinging away from their leader. [VERB adverb/preposition]

10. countable noun [usu N through n]

If someone such as a politician makes a swing through a particular country or area, they go on a quick trip through it, visiting a number of different places.

[US, journalism]

...a campaign swing through South Dakota and Texas.

11.

in full swing

12.

get into the swing of

13.

go with a swing

14.

swings and roundabouts

15. no room to swing a cat

More Synonyms of swing

Video: pronunciation of 'swing'

Word Frequency

swing in British

(swɪŋ )

verbWord forms: swings, swinging or swung

to move or cause to move rhythmically to and fro, as a free-hanging object; sway

2. (intransitive)

to move, walk, etc, with a relaxed and swaying motion

to pivot or cause to pivot, as on a hinge

to move or cause to move in a curve

the car swung around the bend

to move or cause to move by suspending or being suspended

to hang or be hung so as to be able to turn freely

7. (intransitive) slang

to be hanged

he'll swing for it

to alter or cause to alter habits, a course, etc

9. (transitive) informal

to influence or manipulate successfully

I hope he can swing the deal

10. (transitive; foll by up)

to raise or hoist, esp in a sweeping motion

11. (intransitive; often foll by at)

to hit out or strike (at), esp with a sweeping motion

12. (transitive)

to wave (a weapon, etc) in a sweeping motion; flourish

13.

to arrange or play (music) with the rhythmically flexible and compulsive quality associated with jazz

14. (intransitive)

(of popular music, esp jazz, or of the musicians who play it) to have this quality

15. slang

to be lively and modern

16. (intransitive) slang

to swap sexual partners in a group, esp habitually

17. (intransitive) cricket

to bowl (a ball) with swing or (of a ball) to move with a swing

18.

to turn (a ship or aircraft) in order to test compass error

19. swing both ways

20. swing the lead

noun

21.

the act or manner of swinging or the distance covered while swinging

a wide swing

22.

a sweeping stroke or blow

23. boxing

a wide punch from the side similar to but longer than a hook

24. cricket

the lateral movement of a bowled ball through the air

25.

any free-swaying motion

26.

any curving movement; sweep

27.

something that swings or is swung, esp a suspended seat on which a person may sit and swing back and forth

28.

a kind of popular dance music influenced by jazz, usually played by big bands and originating in the 1930s

(as modifier)

swing music

29. swingbeat

30. prosody

a steady distinct rhythm or cadence in prose or verse

31. informal

the normal round or pace

get into the swing of things

32.

a fluctuation, as in some business activity, voting pattern, etc

b. (as modifier)

able to bring about a swing in a voting pattern

swing party

c. (as modifier)

having a mixed voting history, and thus becoming a target for political election campaigners

a swing state

33. US informal

free scope; freedom of activity

34. mainly US

a circular tour

35. Canadian

a tour of a particular area or region

36. Canadian

(in the North) a train of freight sleighs or canoes

37. go with a swing

38. in full swing

39. swings and roundabouts

Word origin of 'swing'

Old English swingan; related to Old Frisian swinga, Old High German swingan

Word Frequency

swing in American

(swɪŋ ; swiŋ)

verb intransitiveWord forms: swung or ˈswinging

to sway or move backward and forward with regular movement, as a freely hanging object or a ship at anchor; oscillate

to walk, trot, etc. with freely swaying, relaxed movements of the limbs

to deliver or aim a blow; strike (at)

to turn or pivot, as on a hinge or swivel

the door swung open

to move in a curve, esp. in order to go around something

the driver swung around the stalled car

to hang; be suspended

b. Informal

to be put to death by hanging

to move backward and forward on a swing (sense 28)

8. US

to have an exciting rhythmic quality

music that really swings

9. US, Slang

to be ultra-fashionable, sophisticated, active, etc., esp. in the pursuit of pleasure

10. Slang

to engage in casual sexual relations, esp. in an open, deliberate way

to exchange partners with other couples and engage in sexual activity

said esp. of married couples

verb transitive

11.

to move or wave (a weapon, tool, bat, etc.) with a sweeping motion; flourish; brandish

to lift or hoist with a sweeping motion

12.

to cause (a hanging object) to sway backward and forward; specif., to cause (a person on a swing) to move backward and forward by pushing or pulling the swing

13.

to cause to turn or pivot, as on a hinge or swivel

to swing a door open

14.

to cause to hang freely, so as to be capable of easy movement

to swing a hammock

15.

to cause to move in a curve

to swing a car around a corner

16.

to move (a ship or aircraft) through the points of the compass in order to check compass error

17. US, Informal

to cause to come about successfully; manage with the desired results

to swing an election

18. US

to play (music) in the style of swing

noun

19.

the act or process of swinging

20.

the arc, or the length of the arc, through which something swings

the swing of a pendulum

21.

the manner of swinging; specif., the manner of striking with a golf club, baseball bat, the arm, etc.

22.

freedom to do as one wishes or is naturally inclined

given full swing in the matter

23.

a free, relaxed motion, as in walking

24.

a sweeping blow or stroke

25.

the course, development, or movement of some activity, business, etc.

26.

the power, or force, behind something swung or thrown; impetus

27.

rhythm, as of poetry or music

28.

a device, as a seat hanging from ropes or chains, on which one can sit and swing backward and forward as a form of amusement

29.

a trip or tour

a swing around the country

30. US

a style of jazz, esp. in its development from about 1935 to 1945, characterized by the use of large bands, fast tempos, and written arrangements for ensemble playing

31. US, Business; Informal

regular upward and downward change in the price of stocks or in some other business activity

adjective US

32.

of, in, or playing swing (music)

33.

having or likely to have decisive power, as in determining the result of an election

the swing vote

Idioms:

in full swing

SYNONYMY NOTE: swing suggests the to-and-fro motion of something that is suspended, hinged, pivoted, etc. so that it is free to turn or swivel at the point or points of attachment [a swinging door]; sway describes the swinging motion of something flexible or self-balancing, whether attached or unattached, in yielding to pressure, weight, etc. [branches swaying in the wind]; to oscillate is to swing back and forth, within certain limits, in the manner of a pendulum; , vibrate suggests the rapid, regular, back-and-forth motion of a plucked, taut string and is applied in physics to a similar movement of the particles of a fluid or elastic medium [sound vibrations]; fluctuate implies continual, irregular alternating movements and is now most common in its extended sense [fluctuating prices]; undulate implies a gentle wavelike motion or form [undulating land]

Derived forms

swingy (ˈswingy)

adjectiveWord forms: ˈswingier or ˈswingiest

Word origin of 'swing'

ME swingen < OE swingan, akin to Ger schwingen, to brandish < IE base *sweng-, to curve, swing

Example sentences containing 'swing'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

You will be surprised how quickly you get back into the swing of things. MacEoin, Beth Healthy By Nature (1994)The regulatory pendulum has swung from one extreme of too little to the other of too much. Times, Sunday Times (2014)They will be catching up with a career that has been in full swing for six decades. Times, Sunday Times (2008)The doors swung together again and a key turned in the lock. Travers, P L What the Bee Knows - reflections on myth, symbol and story (1989)The swing style of the jacket is perfect for hiding any lumps and bumps you might have. The Sun (2013)Use your shoulders and hips to swing the bell away from your body. Times, Sunday Times (2012)You could also either swing longer or use a more powerful club. Lewis, Beverly Winning Golf for Women (1993)Try to avoid swinging your arms across your body. The Sun (2011)If your joints are a bit stiff then gentle swinging or rhythmic movements are generally good. Wallace, Louise M & Bundy, Christine Coping with Angina (1990)Swing the rope around you as you turn on the spot. Times, Sunday Times (2008)It might take one or two matches to get into the swing of things. The Sun (2007)Two or three bad games and things can change and swing in a big way. Times, Sunday Times (2012)The accomplished drummer leads his band for jazz and swing. Times, Sunday Times (2009)They swung the door wide open and opened fire. Times, Sunday Times (2007)It swung backwards and forwards like a pendulum. The Sun (2014)The first hazel catkins are beginning to turn yellow and swing loose on the twigs. Times, Sunday Times (2010)Then there were the swing changes. Times, Sunday Times (2013)The setting was a swing dance party at a friend's home. Christianity Today (2000)You hear softly piped Fifties swing music. Times, Sunday Times (2009)They seemed to be struggling against the political current; now it has swung in their direction. Times, Sunday Times (2006)The wooden seat of a swing, heating up in the sun. Times, Sunday Times (2014)