swing
swing Lexical Profile
swing Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A seat suspended by ropes or chains, typically found in a playground or garden, on which someone may sit and move back and forth.
"The children spent the entire afternoon playing on the swing in the park."
A swift, sweeping movement of the body, a limb, or a piece of equipment (such as a bat or club).
"He practiced his golf swing for hours before the tournament began."
A style of jazz music originating in the 1930s, characterized by a lively, driving rhythm suitable for dancing.
"The big band played a popular swing tune that got everyone on the dance floor."
• verb
To move back and forth or from side to side while suspended or on an axis.
"The old wooden sign was swinging in the wind."
To move one's hand, a tool, or a weapon in a sweeping curve, typically to strike something.
"The batter stepped up to the plate and swung at the first pitch."
To shift or cause to shift significantly from one opinion, mood, or state of affairs to another.
"Public opinion began to swing in favor of the new environmental policy."
• Rhymes for swing
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'swingan' (to beat, strike, scourge, dash), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch 'zwingen' and German 'schwingen'. The sense of moving freely back and forth emerged in the 16th century.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.