swing

¹ American  

[swing] / swɪŋ /

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.

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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:

   oscillation, vibration, sway

2. the amount or extent of such movement.

   to correct the swing of a pendulum.

   Synonyms:

   play, sweep, scope, range

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.

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.

swing ² American  

[swing] / swɪŋ /

noun

1. Also called Big Band music, 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.

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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 British  

/ swɪŋ /

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. slang to 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. slang to enjoy sexual partners of both sexes

20. informal to malinger or make up excuses

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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

8. 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

9. See swingbeat

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

11. informal the normal round or pace

    get into the swing of things

12. 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

13. informal free scope; freedom of activity

14. a circular tour

15. a tour of a particular area or region

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

17. to go well; be successful

18. at the height of activity

19. equal advantages and disadvantages

swing Cultural  

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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swing More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing swing

• get into the swing of things
• in full swing
• not enough room to swing a car

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Synonym Usage

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.

Other Word Forms

• swingable
  adjective

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Etymology

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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Explanation

To swing is to sway back and forth, or to move in a sweeping, curving motion. Wind chimes swing in the breeze, and a softball player swings her bat, aiming for the ball. A TV hypnotist will swing a shiny object in front of a patient's face and say, "You are getting very sleepy." Kids on a playground will happily swing on swings for hours. And if you hear a sudden scary noise behind you, you might swing around in alarm or even take a swing, or a punch, in its direction. Since 1933, the noun swing has also meant a type of big-band jazz music.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

swing swinging swung

We’re not talking about five or six swing states here.

From Slate ● Oct. 31, 2026

Also in 1924, investigations were afoot into the Teapot Dome scandal, which would swing the public’s attitude about another hugely profitable California industry and its enormously rich founder.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 30, 2026

They require a points difference swing of 68 on rivals Samoa - who they need to lose to Tonga on Sunday.

From BBC ● Oct. 29, 2026

"He can probably help with turnout in some places, like Atlanta or Philly. But in swing districts, I don't think one speech changes anybody's mind," he told AFP.

From Barron's ● Oct. 29, 2026

Josie could barely believe her eyes: The front door was open, just at the point of starting to swing shut.

From "The School for Whatnots" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Behind guarded gates resembling an Indian maharajah's palace are hundreds of elephants and big cats, giraffes grazing in a mock savannah, and chimpanzees and orangutans swinging from ropes.

From Barron's ● Oct. 30, 2026

Rather than spinning their entire bodies together, the snakes alternate between rolling on one side and swinging a curved section of their bodies downward beside their heads.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 24, 2026

The change has been most significant in England, where the ball is swinging 63% more at the death.

From BBC ● Oct. 19, 2026

They are exceedingly disciplined, to the point they sometimes appear allergic to the very concept of swinging.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2026

I remembered teasing and mischief and strong arms swinging me into the air.

From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan

Two years later, momentum swung again, as the union helped persuade California Gov. Edmund G. “Jerry” Brown Jr. to impose the toughest farm labor regulations in the nation.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 28, 2026

RSI making a lower high even though prices made a much higher high is the market’s tell that momentum has swung to the side of the seller.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 27, 2026

It swung to a net loss of 5.7 billion kronor for the quarter from a net profit of 4.5 billion kronor a year earlier.

From Barron's ● Oct. 23, 2026

The outlook came as the company said it swung to a profit in what CEO Lourenco Goncalves called its strongest quarterly results in three years, with domestic trade policy helping brighten its prospects.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 20, 2026

Boaz swung around wildly, searching for the direction of the sound.

From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny

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Related Words

• curve
• dangle
• flap
• fluctuate
• hang
• lurch
• pitch
• pivot
• rotate
• sway
• swivel
• turn
• twirl
• veer
• wave
• whirl
• wiggle
• wobble

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