English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun C2 Proficient

swivel

SWIH-vuhl

Swivel (noun) means a joint or fitting that allows something attached to it to rotate freely. Example: “The office chair spins smoothly thanks to its swivel base.”

noun
1
A joint or fitting that allows something attached to it to rotate freely.
"The office chair spins smoothly thanks to its swivel base."
verb
1
To turn or rotate on a fixed point.
"She swiveled around in her chair to face him."

How to use swivel

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo turn on a fixed point, or a joint/fitting that lets something rotate.

Common pairings
swivel chair swivel around

Word forms

swiveled past tense, swivelled past tense, swivels plural, swivels singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “swivel” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The office chair spins smoothly thanks to its _____ base.

Etymology

From Old English swifan, "to revolve," combined with the instrumental suffix -el; ultimately related to swift.

Origin: Old English

Related words

Rhymes for swivel

See all rhymes for swivel →

Frequently asked questions

What does “swivel” mean?

The word “swivel” means a joint or fitting that allows something attached to it to rotate freely. In plain terms, to turn on a fixed point, or a joint/fitting that lets something rotate.

How do you pronounce “swivel”?

“Swivel” is pronounced SWIH-vuhl (/ˈswɪvəl/ in IPA).

How do you use “swivel” in a sentence?

Here is “swivel” used in a sentence: “The office chair spins smoothly thanks to its swivel base.”

What part of speech is “swivel”?

Depending on how it is used, “swivel” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “swivel” come from?

The word “swivel” comes from Old English. From Old English swifan, "to revolve," combined with the instrumental suffix -el; ultimately related to swift.

How many meanings does “swivel” have?

“Swivel” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a joint or fitting that allows something attached to it to rotate freely.

Featured in

People also searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial