swinging

American  

[swing-ing] / ˈswɪŋ ɪŋ /

adjective

superlative

swingingest

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

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

• swingingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of swinging

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

Example Sentences

Rita tries jumping in front of the mirror, swinging her arms like fans and repeating the word “bored” a hundred times.

From The Wall Street Journal

The star of ABC’s swinging and silly 1960s “Batman” series – which celebrated its 60th anniversary earlier this month – played the Caped Crusader with deadly seriousness.

From Salon

"I just told myself to go out swinging."

From Barron's

The descriptor works for the artist’s latest album, “After Hours,” a collection of originals and standards that sees the 62-year-old Marx channel his inner, swinging Frank Sinatra.

From Los Angeles Times

My own hands, which seconds ago were balled up and ready to start swinging, dropped to my sides like a couple of overripe apples from a tree.

From Literature

Related Words

• fluctuating