swinging

9 synonyms for swinging, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Adj — Moving back and forth in a rhythmic way.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

swing

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

rocking fashionable lively tripping

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

oscillating lilting swingy vacillation

Synonyms by Meaning

1. adj

Moving back and forth in a rhythmic way.

“The swinging chandelier cast moving shadows on the wall.”

oscillating rocking fashionable lively lilting tripping swingy

2. noun

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.”

vacillation swing

Etymology

The sexual practice is so called after the custom in swing dancing of changing partners after each dance, unlike traditional ballroom dance styles where one has a single partner.

Full origin of swinging →

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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swing lively rocking fashionable tripping oscillating

Nearby words

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