swing
About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.
About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1swing
verb \ˈswiŋ\swung \ˈswəŋ\ swing·ing \ˈswiŋ-iŋ\
Definition of SWING
transitive verb
1
a : to cause to move vigorously through a wide arc or circle <swing an ax> b : to cause to sway to and fro c (1) : to cause to turn on an axis (2) : to cause to face or move in another direction <swing the car into a side road>
2
: to suspend so as to permit swaying or turning
3
: to convey by suspension <cranes swinging cargo into the ship's hold>
4
a (1) : to influence decisively <swing a lot of votes> (2) : to bring around by influence b : to handle successfully : manage <wasn't able to swing a new car on his income> <swing a deal>
5
: to play or sing (as a melody) in the style of swing music
intransitive verb
1
: to move freely to and fro especially in suspension from an overhead support
2
a : to die by hanging b : to hang freely from a support
3
: to move in or describe a circle or arc: a : to turn on a hinge or pivot b : to turn in place c : to convey oneself by grasping a fixed support <swing aboard the train>
4
a : to have a steady pulsing rhythm b : to play or sing with a lively compelling rhythm; specifically : to play swing music
5
: to shift or fluctuate from one condition, form, position, or object of attention or favor to another <swing constantly from optimism to pessimism and back — Sinclair Lewis>
6
a : to move along rhythmically b : to start up in a smooth vigorous manner <ready to swing into action>
7
: to hit or aim at something with a sweeping arm movement
8
a : to be lively, exciting, and up-to-date b : to engage freely in sex
See Examples of SWING
- The sheets swung on the clothesline.
- The clock's pendulum stopped swinging.
- She sat on the edge of the table, swinging her legs.
- The monkeys were swinging from branch to branch high up in the trees.
- I swung my suitcase into the backseat of the car.
- She sat on the counter and swung her legs over to the other side.
- She swung the door open.
- Be careful how you swing that ax.
- She swung the bat but missed the ball.
- She swung her purse at me.
Origin of SWING
Middle English, to beat, fling, hurl, rush, from Old English swingan to beat, fling oneself, rush; akin to Old High German swingan to fling, rush
First Known Use: 13th century
Synonym Discussion of SWING
swing, wave, flourish, brandish, thrash mean to wield or cause to move to and fro or up and down. swing implies regular or uniform movement <swing the rope back and forth>. wave usually implies smooth or continuous motion <waving the flag>. flourish suggests vigorous, ostentatious, graceful movement <flourished the winning lottery ticket>. brandish implies threatening or menacing motion <brandishing a knife>. thrash suggests vigorous, abrupt, violent movement <an infant thrashing his arms about>.swing, sway, oscillate, vibrate, fluctuate, waver, undulate mean to move from one direction to its opposite. swing implies a movement of something attached at one end or one side <the door suddenly swung open>. sway implies a slow swinging or teetering movement <trees swaying in the breeze>. oscillate stresses a usually regular alternation of direction <an oscillating fan>. vibrate suggests the rapid oscillation of an elastic body under stress or impact <the vibrating strings of a piano>. fluctuate suggests constant irregular changes of level, intensity, or value <fluctuating interest rates>. waver stresses irregular motion suggestive of reeling or tottering <the exhausted runner wavered before collapsing>. undulate suggests a gentle wavelike motion <an undulating sea of grass>.
2swing
nounDefinition of SWING
1
: an act or instance of swinging : swinging movement: as a (1) : a stroke or blow delivered with a sweeping arm movement <a batter with a powerful swing> (2) : a sweeping or rhythmic movement of the body or a bodily part (3) : a dance figure in which two dancers revolve with joined arms or hands (4) : jazz dancing in moderate tempo with a lilting syncopation b (1) : the regular movement of a freely suspended object (as a pendulum) along an arc and back (2) : back and forth sweep <the swing of the tides> c (1) : steady pulsing rhythm (as in poetry or music) (2) : a steady vigorous movement characterizing an activity or creative work d (1) : a trend toward a high or low point in a fluctuating cycle (as of business activity) (2) : an often periodic shift from one condition, form, position, or object of attention or favor to another
2
a : liberty of action b (1) : the driving power of something swung or hurled (2) : steady vigorous advance : driving speed <a train approaching at full swing>
3
: the progression of an activity, process, or phase of existence <the work is in full swing>
4
: the arc or range through which something swings
5
: something that swings freely from or on a support; especially : a seat suspended by a rope or chains for swinging to and fro on for pleasure
6
a : a curving course or outline b : a course from and back to a point : a circular tour
7
: jazz that is played (as by a big band) with a steady beat and that uses the harmonic structures of popular songs and the blues as a basis for improvisations and arrangements
8
: a short pass in football thrown to a back running to the outside
Examples of SWING
- One swing of the hammer was all it took to drive the nail through the board.
- the swing of a pendulum
- upward swings in the stock market
- The kids were playing on the swings.
- We sat on the porch swing and watched the neighbors.
First Known Use of SWING
14th century
3swing
adjectiveDefinition of SWING
1
: of or relating to musical swing <a swing band> <swing music> <swing dancing>
2
: that may swing often decisively either way on an issue or in an election <swing voters> <a swing state>
First Known Use of SWING
1933
swing
noun (Concise Encyclopedia)Jazz played with a steady beat using the harmonic structure of popular songs and the blues as the basis for improvisations and arrangements. The popular music of the U.S. from about 1930 to 1945 (years sometimes called the swing era), swing is characterized by syncopated rhythmic momentum with equal stress accorded to the four beats of a measure. Larger jazz bands required some arranged material, and Fletcher Henderson, Duke Ellington, and Count Basie were the primary innovators of big-band swing. In smaller ensembles, improvised instrumental solos generally follow a rendering of the melody.
Learn More About SWING
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: swingable
Previous Word in the Dictionary: swine typhoid
All Words Near: swing
Previous Word in the Dictionary: swine typhoid
All Words Near: swing
Seen & Heard 
What made you want to look up swing? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
