swing
14 synonyms for swing, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To move back and forth or in a circular path while hanging from a fixed point.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
To move back and forth or in a circular path while hanging from a fixed point.
“Bats swing from the branches of the tree outside the cave.”
How to use swing
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
swing back and forth
a swing in the polls
swing set
Etymology
From Old English swingan, meaning "to strike, whip, or fling about" — related to the now-rare word swink, "to labor."
Full origin of swing →Frequently asked questions
What does “swing” mean?
The word “swing” means to move back and forth or in a circular path while hanging from a fixed point. In plain terms, to move back and forth (or a seat that does this), or a shift/change in something like an opinion or a score.
How do you pronounce “swing”?
“Swing” is pronounced SWIHNG (/ˈswɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “swing” in a sentence?
Here is “swing” used in a sentence: “The kids raced to the playground swing.”
What part of speech is “swing”?
Depending on how it is used, “swing” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “swing” come from?
The word “swing” comes from Old English. From Old English swingan, meaning "to strike, whip, or fling about" — related to the now-rare word swink, "to labor.".
Is “swing” a common word?
“Swing” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “swing” have?
“Swing” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to move back and forth or in a circular path while hanging from a fixed point.
What is the difference between swing and sway?
To swing is to move back and forth or in an arc from a fixed point, often with a clear, regular motion. To sway is to move more gently and unsteadily from side to side, as a tree might in the wind.
Is swing a regular or irregular verb?
Swing is irregular. Its past tense and past participle are both "swung," not "swinged," as in "the gate swung open."
