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Synonyms

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.


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

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

"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

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Nouns

Adjectives

Etymology

Origin of swinging

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Internet users have proven they’ll make a habit of swinging by these fledgling new spaces — if the conversation is interesting enough.

From Salon Aug. 23, 2026

Surging energy costs and extreme weather events have resulted in utility bills swinging widely.

From MarketWatch Aug. 15, 2026

On Monday, Rushing started swinging, which he said didn’t bother his elbow.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 12, 2026

The company’s stock price has often served as a barometer for the broader AI trade, swinging wildly along with investors’ mood.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 12, 2026

She walked over to it and stared at the blind cord, which was still swinging.

From "The World According to Humphrey" by Betty G. Birney

He peeped in, and between the swingings caught glimpses of little blue and yellow flowers arranged in tight bunches in hanging vases.

From The Little House in the Fairy Wood by Ethel Cook Eliot

But she began to swing heavily, with deep, slow swingings.

From Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan Second Series by Lafcadio Hearn

There are stationary swingings, as well as swingings of the kind to which I just alluded.

From Dr. Scudder's Tales for Little Readers, About the Heathen. by Dr. John Scudder

But all oscillations are equalized by swingings to the other side.

From Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great - Volume 02 Little Journeys To the Homes of Famous Women by Elbert Hubbard

In a considerable shock the successive diminishing swingings amount to dozens before they become so slight as to elude perception.

From Outlines of the Earth's History A Popular Study in Physiography by Nathaniel Southgate Shaler

Then, after four years' touring with a small combo, Basie collected a new 16-piece ensemble in 1952, and within a year it was fully established as the swingingest band in the land.

From Time Magazine Archive

The answer is partly that blues are big these days, partly that Johnny Winter is the swingingest, funkiest new white blues singer to come out of the South in years.

From Time Magazine Archive

Basie collected a new full-size outfit 16 months ago, bounced back with a reputation as the swingingest band in the land.

From Time Magazine Archive

These days one of the swingingest places in the Mauritanian capital of Nouakchott is the Chinese cultural mission, which features French movies instead of propaganda films.

From Time Magazine Archive

Fifteen rowdy and tender numbers played by one of the swingingest bands of all.

From Time Magazine Archive

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