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adj Common

swinging

SWIH-ngihng

Swinging (adj) means moving back and forth in a rhythmic way. Example: “The swinging chandelier cast moving shadows on the wall.”

adj
1
Moving back and forth in a rhythmic way.
"The swinging chandelier cast moving shadows on the wall."
2
Lively, fashionable, and fun (informal, especially of a place or era).
"They reminisced about the swinging nightlife of the sixties."
noun
1
The practice of couples having casual sex with other people, often as a group activity.
"Swinging became more openly discussed in the media by the 1970s."

How to Use Swinging

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishMoving rhythmically back and forth; informally, lively and fun; or the practice of consensual non-monogamous group sex.

Word Forms

more swinging comparative, swinginger comparative, swingings plural, most swinging superlative, swingingest superlative

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The _____ chandelier cast moving shadows on the wall.

Related Words

Rhymes for swinging

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “swinging” mean?

The word “swinging” means moving back and forth in a rhythmic way. In plain terms, moving rhythmically back and forth; informally, lively and fun; or the practice of consensual non-monogamous group sex.

How do you pronounce “swinging”?

“Swinging” is pronounced SWIH-ngihng (/ˈswɪŋɪŋ/ in IPA).

How do you use “swinging” in a sentence?

Here is “swinging” used in a sentence: “The swinging chandelier cast moving shadows on the wall.”

What part of speech is “swinging”?

Depending on how it is used, “swinging” can be an adjective and a noun.

Is “swinging” a common word?

“Swinging” is a fairly common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “swinging” have?

“Swinging” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: moving back and forth in a rhythmic way.

What is the difference between the adjective swinging and the noun swinging?

As an adjective, 'swinging' describes something moving back and forth rhythmically, or informally something lively and fashionable, such as a 'swinging era'. As a noun, 'swinging' refers to the practice of couples having casual sex with other people, often as a group activity, a distinct and unrelated sense.

What does it mean to call a place or era swinging?

Calling a place or era 'swinging' is an informal way of describing it as lively, fashionable, and fun, often evoking a sense of energy and social excitement. This usage is distinct from the literal sense of physical back-and-forth motion.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial