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View synonyms for

swing

1

[swing]

verb (used with object)

swung, swinging 
  1. to cause to move to and fro, sway, or oscillate, as something suspended from above.

    to swing one's arms in walking.

  2. to cause to move in alternate directions or in either direction around a fixed point, on an axis, or on a line of support, as a door on hinges.

  3. to move (the hand or something held) with an oscillating or rotary movement.

    to swing one's fists; to swing a club around one's head.

  4. Aeronautics.to pull or turn (a propeller) by hand, especially in order to start the engine.

  5. to turn in a new direction in a curve, as if around a central point.

    to swing the car into the driveway.

  6. to suspend so as to hang freely, as a hammock or a door.

  7. Informal.to influence or win over; manage or arrange as desired.

    to swing votes; to swing a business deal.

  8. to direct, change, or shift (one's interest, opinion, support, etc.).

  9. to turn (a ship or aircraft) to various headings in order to check compass deviation.



verb (used without object)

swung, swinging 
  1. to move or sway to and fro, as a pendulum or other suspended object.

  2. to move to and fro in a swing, as for recreation.

  3. to move in alternate directions or in either direction around a point, an axis, or a line of support, as a gate on its hinges.

  4. to move in a curve, as around a corner or central point.

    The highway swings to the east.

  5. to move with a free, swaying motion, as soldiers on the march.

  6. to be suspended so as to hang freely, as a bell or hammock.

  7. to move by grasping a support with the hands and drawing up the arms or using the momentum of the swaying body.

    a monkey swinging through trees.

  8. to change or shift one's attention, interest, opinion, condition, etc..

    He swung from mere indifference to outright scorn.

  9. to hit at someone or something, with the hand or something grasped in the hand.

    The batter swung and struck out.

  10. Slang.

    1. to be characterized by a modern, lively atmosphere.

      Las Vegas swings all year.

    2. to be stylish, trendy, hip, etc., especially in pursuing enjoyment.

    3. to engage uninhibitedly in sexual activity.

    4. (of married couples) to exchange partners for sexual activity.

  11. Informal.to suffer death by hanging.

    He'll swing for the crime.

noun

  1. the act, manner, or progression of swinging; movement in alternate directions or in a particular direction.

    Synonyms: , ,
  2. the amount or extent of such movement.

    to correct the swing of a pendulum.

    Synonyms: , , ,
  3. a curving movement or course.

  4. a moving of the body with a free, swaying motion, as in walking.

  5. a blow or stroke with the hand or an object grasped in the hands.

    His swing drove the ball over the fence.

  6. a change or shift in attitude, opinion, behavior, etc.

  7. a steady, marked rhythm or movement, as of verse or music.

  8. a regular upward or downward movement in the price of a commodity or of a security, or in any business activity.

  9. Informal.

    1. a work period coming between the regular day and night shifts.

    2. a change by a group of workers from working one shift to working another.

  10. freedom of action.

    to have free swing in carrying out a project.

  11. active operation; progression.

    to get into the swing of things.

  12. something that is swung or that swings.

  13. a seat suspended from above by means of a loop of rope or between ropes or rods, on which one may sit and swing to and fro for recreation.

  14. the maximum diameter of the work machinable in a certain lathe or other machine tool.

adjective

  1. of or relating to a swing.

  2. capable of determining the outcome, as of an election; deciding, as in

  3. designed or constructed to permit swinging or hanging.

  4. acting to relieve other workers when needed, as at night.

swing

2

[swing]

noun

  1. Also called Big Band music,.Also called swing music.a style of jazz, popular especially in the 1930s and often arranged for a large dance band, marked by a smoother beat and more flowing phrasing than Dixieland and having less complex harmonies and rhythms than modern jazz.

  2. the rhythmic element that excites dancers and listeners to move in time to jazz music.

adjective

  1. of, relating to, or characteristic of swing.

    a swing record.

verb (used with object)

swung, swinging 
  1. to play (music) in the style of swing.

swing

/ ɪŋ /

verb

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

  2. (intr) to move, walk, etc, with a relaxed and swaying motion

  3. to pivot or cause to pivot, as on a hinge

  4. to move or cause to move in a curve

    the car swung around the bend

  5. to move or cause to move by suspending or being suspended

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

  7. slang(intr) to be hanged

    he'll swing for it

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

  9. informal(tr) to influence or manipulate successfully

    I hope he can swing the deal

  10. to raise or hoist, esp in a sweeping motion

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

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

  15. slangto be lively and modern

  16. slang(intr) to swap sexual partners in a group, esp habitually

  17. (intr) 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. slangto enjoy sexual partners of both sexes

  20. informalto malinger or make up excuses

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

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

    a wide swing

  2. a sweeping stroke or blow

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

  4. cricket the lateral movement of a bowled ball through the air

  5. any free-swaying motion

  6. any curving movement; sweep

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

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

    2. ( as modifier )

      swing music

  8. See swingbeat

  9. prosody a steady distinct rhythm or cadence in prose or verse

  10. informalthe normal round or pace

    get into the swing of things

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

    2. (as modifier) able to bring about a swing in a voting pattern

      swing party

    3. (as modifier) having a mixed voting history, and thus becoming a target for political election campaigners

      a swing state

  11. informalfree scope; freedom of activity

  12. a circular tour

  13. a tour of a particular area or region

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

  15. to go well; be successful

  16. at the height of activity

  17. equal advantages and disadvantages

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

swing

  1. A kind of jazz generally played by a “Big Band” and characterized by a lively rhythm suitable for dancing. The bands of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, and Glenn Miller played swing.

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Other Word Forms

  • swingable adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of swing1

First recorded before 900; Middle English verb swingen “strike with a weapon, smite,” Old English swingan; cognate with German schwingen

Origin of swing2

First recorded in 1930–35 as swing band and swing music; special use of swing 1
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Word History and Origins

Origin of swing1

Old English swingan; related to Old Frisian swinga, Old High German swingan
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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms
  1. swing round the circle, to tour an area on a political campaign.

  2. take a swing at, to strike or attempt to strike with the fist.

    to take a swing at a rude waiter.

  3. in full swing, operating at the highest speed or level of activity; in full operation.

    Automobile production is in full swing.

In addition to the idiom beginning with swing, also see get into the swing of things; in full swing; not enough room to swing a car.
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Synonym Study

Swing, sway, oscillate, rock suggest a movement back and forth. Swing expresses the comparatively regular motion to and fro of a body supported from the end or ends, especially from above: A lamp swings from the ceiling. To sway is to swing gently and is used especially of fixed objects or of persons: Young oaks sway in the breeze. Oscillate refers to the smooth, regular, alternating movement of a body within certain limits between two fixed points. Rock indicates the slow and regular movement back and forth of a body, as on curved supports: A cradle rocks.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Alexa, now almost 8, was bubbling with energy as she bounced from room to room, her braids swinging through the air.

From

Even his slider, which remains his go-to secondary weapon, was fanned on only three times in 15 swings.

From

That I’m making things worse and that I’m giving notes to people that are detrimental rather than exciting, and that I’m mitigating my own risks rather than trying to bolster creative swings.

From

Heston's journey mirrors that of many: misunderstood mood swings, delayed diagnosis, and the long road to balance.

From

At one end of the raised platform, the stalls are mostly occupied by polo shirt-wearing men quietly practicing their swings.

From

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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