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

The tree she was swinging from, which is maintained by Surrey County Council, had not been inspected since May 2022, South London Coroner's Court in Croydon heard on Wednesday.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

Artemis II carried its crew further from Earth than any humans have ever gone, swinging around the far side of the Moon in just over nine days.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

CoreWeave stock was up 0.8% to $118.18, swinging between gain and loss throughout the day.

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

Rodrigo announced the news by wiping her Instagram feed and sharing a photo of the album cover, which shows her swinging upside down in a baby pink dress.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

He opened it and crawled out, then dove for the oak tree, catching a thick branch and swinging.

From "Boy 2.0" by Tracey Baptiste

Related Words

• fluctuating