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."
"The child watched the swinging pendulum of the old clock."
"A swinging gate creaked in the wind all night."
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 notesIn plain EnglishMoving rhythmically back and forth; informally, lively and fun; or the practice of consensual non-monogamous group sex.
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like swinging.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- swingings
- Comparative
- more swinging, swinginger
- Superlative
- most swinging, swingingest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ chandelier cast moving shadows on the wall.
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.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for swinging
singing
ringing
winging
pinging
bringing
clinging
stinging
wringing
flinging
springing
stringing
upbringing
See all rhymes for 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.
