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View synonyms for

swivel

[swiv-uhl]

noun

  1. a fastening device that allows the thing fastened to turn around freely upon it, especially to turn in a full circle.

  2. such a device consisting of two parts, each of which turns around independently, as a compound link of a chain, one part of which turns freely in the other by means of a headed pin or the like.

  3. a pivoted support allowing a gun to turn around in a horizontal plane.

  4. a swivel gun.

  5. a device attached to a loom and used as a shuttle to weave extra threads in the production of small figures, especially dots.



verb (used with object)

swiveled, swiveling , swivelled, swivelling .
  1. to turn or pivot on or as if on a swivel.

    He swiveled his chair around.

  2. to fasten by a swivel; furnish with a swivel.

verb (used without object)

swiveled, swiveling , swivelled, swivelling .
  1. to turn on or if as on a swivel.

swivel

/ ˈɪə /

noun

  1. a coupling device which allows an attached object to turn freely

  2. such a device made of two parts which turn independently, such as a compound link of a chain

    1. a pivot on which is mounted a gun that may be swung from side to side in a horizontal plane

    2. Also called: swivel gun.the gun itself

“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

verb

  1. to turn or swing on or as if on a pivot

  2. (tr) to provide with, secure by, or support with a swivel

“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
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Other Word Forms

  • swivellike adjective
  • unswivel verb (used with object)
  • ˈɾ-ˌ adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of swivel1

1275–1325; Middle English (noun), equivalent to swiv- (weak stem of Old English īڲ to revolve; cognate with Old Norse īڲ to turn) + -el instrumental suffix
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Word History and Origins

Origin of swivel1

C14: from Old English īڲ to turn; see swift
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

When he did look around, he was forced to swivel his head because he had lost one eye to a grenade at the front.

From

After controlling a bobbling pass and setting himself up in one touch, the 21-year-old rifled a hip-height volley on the swivel past Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simon at full stretch.

From

Gizmo’s head swiveled, monitoring as Sunny fledged, or made an inaugural flight from the nest.

From

When West Indies dropped short, Bethell snapped into swivel pulls, the ball disappearing into the stands.

From

And then, just like the wartime industries of L.A., the peacetime ports swiveled to more commercial operations.

From

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swiveswivel chair