swinging

American  

[swing-ing] / ˈswɪŋ ɪŋ /

adjective

swingingest superlative

1. characterized by or capable of swinging, being swung, or causing to swing.

2. intended for swinging upon, by, from, or in.

   the swinging devices in a playground.

3. Slang. excellent; first-rate.

4. Slang. lively, active, and modern; hip.

5. Slang.

   1. free and uninhibited sexually.

      a swinging bachelor.

   2. exchanging spouses for sex.

      swinging married couples.

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noun

swingings plural

1. the activity or act of a person who swings.

2. Slang.

   1. the act or practice of being free and uninhibited sexually.

   2. the exchanging of spouses for sex.

swinging British  

/ ˈswɪŋɪŋ /

adjective

1. moving rhythmically to and fro

2. slang modern and lively

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noun

1. slang the practice of swapping sexual partners in a group, esp habitually

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• swingingly
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• swingings
  plural

Adjectives

• swingingest
  superlative

Etymology

Origin of swinging

First recorded in 1550–60; swing ¹ + -ing ²

Example Sentences

This counterintuitive ranking wasn’t because the period included the Swinging Sixties.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 1, 2026

Rangers say the park’s Southside Drive will be open to vehicles, but parking, stopping, and unloading passengers will be prohibited between El Capitan Crossover and Swinging Bridge Picnic Area.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 15, 2026

Swinging from keychains, the Tamagotchi -- whose name is a portmanteau of the Japanese words for "egg" and "watch" -- has become a popular fashion accessory among young people in recent years, according to Bandai.

From Barron's • Jan. 7, 2026

While still at school, Marianne began singing folk songs a cappella in Reading coffee-houses - and, before long, her exquisite looks and obvious talent saw her sucked into the vortex of Swinging 60s London.

From BBC • Jan. 30, 2025

Swinging back and forth across the great waterway, she searched for a cliff like the one she had been raised on.

From "Frightful's Mountain" by Jean Craighead George

Related Words

• fluctuating