swung

[ swuhng ]

/ swʌŋ /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR swung ON THESAURUS.COM

verb

simple past tense and past participle of swing¹.

Nearby words

swine plague, swine vesicular disease, swine's cress, swineherd, swinepox, swung, swing bridge, swing by, swing door, swing into action, swing leg

Related formsun·swung, adjective

Definition for swung (2 of 3)

swing

[ swing ]

/ swɪŋ /

verb (used with object), swung, swing·ing.

to cause to move to and fro, sway, or oscillate, as something suspended from above: to swing one's arms in walking.

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.

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.

Aeronautics. to pull or turn (a propeller) by hand, especially in order to start the engine.

to turn in a new direction in a curve, as if around a central point: to swing the car into the driveway.

to suspend so as to hang freely, as a hammock or a door.

Informal. to influence or win over; manage or arrange as desired: to swing votes; to swing a business deal.

to direct, change, or shift (one's interest, opinion, support, etc.).

to turn (a ship or aircraft) to various headings in order to check compass deviation.

verb (used without object), swung, swing·ing.

to move or sway to and fro, as a pendulum or other suspended object.

to move to and fro in a swing, as for recreation.

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.

to move in a curve, as around a corner or central point: The highway swings to the east.

to move with a free, swaying motion, as soldiers on the march.

to be suspended so as to hang freely, as a bell or hammock.

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.

to change or shift one's attention, interest, opinion, condition, etc.: He swung from mere indifference to outright scorn.

to hit at someone or something, with the hand or something grasped in the hand: The batter swung and struck out.

Slang.

to be characterized by a modern, lively atmosphere: Las Vegas swings all year.
to be stylish, trendy, hip, etc., especially in pursuing enjoyment.
to engage uninhibitedly in sexual activity.
(of married couples) to exchange partners for sexual activity.

Informal. to suffer death by hanging: He'll swing for the crime.

noun

the act, manner, or progression of swinging; movement in alternate directions or in a particular direction.

the amount or extent of such movement: to correct the swing of a pendulum.

a curving movement or course.

a moving of the body with a free, swaying motion, as in walking.

a blow or stroke with the hand or an object grasped in the hands: His swing drove the ball over the fence.

a change or shift in attitude, opinion, behavior, etc.

a steady, marked rhythm or movement, as of verse or music.

a regular upward or downward movement in the price of a commodity or of a security, or in any business activity.

Informal.

a work period coming between the regular day and night shifts.
a change by a group of workers from working one shift to working another.

freedom of action: to have free swing in carrying out a project.

active operation; progression: to get into the swing of things.

something that is swung or that swings.

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.

the maximum diameter of the work machinable in a certain lathe or other machine tool.

adjective

of or relating to a swing.

capable of determining the outcome, as of an election; deciding, as in swing vote; swing voter.

designed or constructed to permit swinging or hanging.

acting to relieve other workers when needed, as at night.

Origin of swing

before 900; Middle English swingen (verb), Old English swingan; cognate with German schwingen

SYNONYMS FOR swing

21 sway, vibration, oscillation.

22 range, scope, sweep, play.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR swing ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formsswing·a·ble, adjective

Synonym study

10. 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.

Definition for swung (3 of 3)

swing

[ swing ]

/ swɪŋ /

noun

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.

the rhythmic element that excites dancers and listeners to move in time to jazz music.

adjective

of, relating to, or characteristic of swing: a swing record.

verb (used with object), swung, swing·ing.

to play (music) in the style of swing.

Origin of swing

special use of swing¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for swung

So outraged he swung into action and summoned the former Baltimore Ravens running back to the NFL Vatican on Park Avenue.
The $44 Million Teflon Don of the NFL|Mike Barnicle|November 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The giant bear flicked his ears and, with unmistakable restraint, swung away and disappeared into the trees.
What It Takes to Kill a Grizzly Bear|Doug Peacock|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Now the ‘Baywatch’ beauty just swung by a high-profile Beverly Hills fundraiser for the IDF.
Pamela Anderson Is Israel’s No. 1 Fan|Asawin Suebsaeng|November 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A year ago, majorities across the country supported the initiative, but polls have swung decisively in the other direction since.
The Polls Are In: ISIS Is Outside Your Window|Jack Holmes|October 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST

I think the pendulum has swung back on that because of books like The Blood Telegram.
The Real Legacy of Richard Nixon|Scott Porch|August 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He swung to face the locked door, knowing there could be nothing behind it.
Cry from a Far Planet|Tom Godwin
Then he saw that she was crying in the bitterness of vexation, and swung round on his music-stool without getting up.
The Nebuly Coat|John Meade Falkner
Then they swung forward at a run and swept down along the left flank of the herd.
Tharon of Lost Valley|Vingie E. Roe
His tall, straight form, erect and slim, swung toward them over the ice.
Astounding Stories of Super-Science February 1930|Various
The ground dropped slowly away, then faster; and as we swung about I saw the hilltop beneath us.
Tarrano the Conqueror|Raymond King Cummings

British Dictionary definitions for swung (1 of 2)

swung

/ (swʌŋ) /

verb

the past tense and past participle of swing

British Dictionary definitions for swung (2 of 2)

swing

/ (swɪŋ) /

verb swings, swinging or swung

to move or cause to move rhythmically to and fro, as a free-hanging object; sway

(intr) to move, walk, etc, with a relaxed and swaying motion

to pivot or cause to pivot, as on a hinge

to move or cause to move in a curvethe car swung around the bend

to move or cause to move by suspending or being suspended

to hang or be hung so as to be able to turn freely

(intr) slang to be hangedhe'll swing for it

to alter or cause to alter habits, a course, etc

(tr) informal to influence or manipulate successfullyI hope he can swing the deal

(tr foll by up) to raise or hoist, esp in a sweeping motion

(intr often foll by at) to hit out or strike (at), esp with a sweeping motion

(tr) to wave (a weapon, etc) in a sweeping motion; flourish

to arrange or play (music) with the rhythmically flexible and compulsive quality associated with jazz

(intr) (of popular music, esp jazz, or of the musicians who play it) to have this quality

slang to be lively and modern

(intr) slang to swap sexual partners in a group, esp habitually

(intr) cricket to bowl (a ball) with swing or (of a ball) to move with a swing

to turn (a ship or aircraft) in order to test compass error

swing both ways slang to enjoy sexual partners of both sexes

swing the lead informal to malinger or make up excuses

noun

the act or manner of swinging or the distance covered while swinginga wide swing

a sweeping stroke or blow

boxing a wide punch from the side similar to but longer than a hook

cricket the lateral movement of a bowled ball through the air

any free-swaying motion

any curving movement; sweep

something that swings or is swung, esp a suspended seat on which a person may sit and swing back and forth

a kind of popular dance music influenced by jazz, usually played by big bands and originating in the 1930s
(as modifier)swing music

See swingbeat

prosody a steady distinct rhythm or cadence in prose or verse

informal the normal round or paceget into the swing of things

a fluctuation, as in some business activity, voting pattern etc
(as modifier) able to bring about a swing in a voting patternswing party
(as modifier) having a mixed voting history, and thus becoming a target for political election campaignersa swing state

US informal free scope; freedom of activity

mainly US a circular tour

Canadian a tour of a particular area or region

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

go with a swing to go well; be successful

in full swing at the height of activity

swings and roundabouts equal advantages and disadvantages

Word Origin for swing

Old English swingan; related to Old Frisian swinga, Old High German swingan

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

Word Origin and History for swung (1 of 2)

swing

Old English swingan "to rush, fling oneself," from Proto-Germanic *swenganan (cf. Old Saxon, Old High German swingan, Old Frisian swinga, German schwingen "to swing, swingle, oscillate") denoting "violent circulatory motion." The meaning "move freely back and forth" is first recorded 1540s. Related: Swung; swinging. Swing shift first recorded 1941, typically 4 p.m. to midnight.

Word Origin and History for swung (1 of 2)

swing

late 14c., "a stroke with a weapon," from swing (v.). Sense of "an apparatus that swings" is first recorded 1680s. Meaning "shift of public opinion" is from 1899. The meaning "variety of big dance-band music with a swinging rhythm" is first recorded 1933, though the sense has been traced back to 1888; its heyday was from mid-30s to mid-40s. Phrase in full swing "in total effect or operation" (1560s) probably is from bell-ringing.

Culture definitions for swung

swing

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.

Idioms and Phrases with swung

swing

In addition to the idiom beginning with swing

swing into action

also see:

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

swung

verb

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Nearby words

Definition for swung (2 of 3)

swing

verb (used with object), swung, swing·ing.

verb (used without object), swung, swing·ing.

noun

adjective

Origin of swing

Synonym study

Definition for swung (3 of 3)

swing

noun

adjective

verb (used with object), swung, swing·ing.

Origin of swing

Examples from the Web for swung

British Dictionary definitions for swung (1 of 2)

swung

verb

British Dictionary definitions for swung (2 of 2)

swing

verb swings, swinging or swung

noun

Word Origin for swing

Word Origin and History for swung (1 of 2)

swing

Word Origin and History for swung (1 of 2)

swing

Culture definitions for swung

swing

Idioms and Phrases with swung

swing