swing

¹

[ swing ]

verb (used with object)

, swung, swing·ing.

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.

verb (used without object)

, swung, swing·ing.

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 swing vote swing voter
3. designed or constructed to permit swinging or hanging.
4. acting to relieve other workers when needed, as at night.

swing

²

[ swing ]

noun

1. Also called Big Band music,. 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.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of swing:

   a swing record.

verb (used with object)

, swung, swing·ing.

1. to play (music) in the style of swing.

swing

/ 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. trfoll byup to raise or hoist, esp in a sweeping motion
11. introften foll byat 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. swing both ways slang.
    to enjoy sexual partners of both sexes
20. swing the lead informal.
    to malinger or make up excuses

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. go with a swing
    to go well; be successful
18. in full swing
    at the height of activity
19. swings and roundabouts
    equal advantages and disadvantages

swing

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.

Other Words From

• swinga·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of swing¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in full swing, operating at the highest speed or level of activity; in full operation:

   Automobile production is in full swing.

2. swing round the circle, to tour an area on a political campaign.
3. take a swing at, to strike or attempt to strike with the fist:

   to take a swing at a rude waiter.

More idioms and phrases containing swing

In addition to the idiom beginning with swing , also see get into the swing of things ; in full swing ; not enough room to swing a car .

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

But taking big swings can be fun, even if they don’t always connect.

From Los Angeles Times

It swings from one extreme to another, matching Coppola’s grandiose gestures toward futurism, ancient history, symbolism, theatrical performance — and, at the heart of it all, love.

From Los Angeles Times

The outcome was in part a reflection of the overall swing to the right nationwide, he said, and also about a sense of “fairness.”

From Los Angeles Times

But the Democratic Party didn’t just miss the mark with voters in swing states and Republican strongholds.

From Los Angeles Times

His nonprofit, Turning Point Action , largely ran Trump’s ground game in swing states like Arizona and Wisconsin.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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