swing
SWIHNG
Swing (verb) means to move back and forth or in a circular path while hanging from a fixed point. Example: “Bats swing from the branches of the tree outside the cave.”
verb
1
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."
"The children swung on the rope tied to the old oak tree."
"The pendulum swung steadily back and forth."
2
To change or fluctuate, especially between extremes.
"Prices swing wildly when the weather ruins the harvest."
"Opinion polls can swing from one side to the other overnight."
"Her mood swung from joy to frustration within minutes."
noun
1
A seat suspended by ropes or chains that a person sits on and moves back and forth.
"The kids raced to the playground swing."
"Dad pushed me on the swing while my sister waited for her turn."
"A rope swing hung from the tree beside the river."
2
A change in the level of support, votes, or results.
"The poll showed a swing toward the challenger."
"A late swing in opinion helped the school keep its small library."
"The club saw a sharp swing in membership after the new pool opened."
How to use swing
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo move back and forth (or a seat that does this), or a shift/change in something like an opinion or a score.
Common pairings
swing back and forth
a swing in the polls
swing set
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Word forms
- Plural
- swings
- Third person singular
- swings
- Past tense
- swung, swang, swungen
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Bats _____ from the branches of the tree outside the cave.
Etymology
From Old English swingan, meaning "to strike, whip, or fling about" — related to the now-rare word swink, "to labor."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for swing
See all rhymes for 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."
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