swing

(noun, verb)

noun

1. a state of steady vigorous action that is characteristic of an activity

- the party went with a swing

- it took time to get into the swing of things

Definition categories: state, action, activeness, activity

2. mechanical device used as a plaything to support someone swinging back and forth

Definition categories: man–made, plaything, toy

3. a sweeping blow or stroke

- he took a wild swing at my head

Definition categories: act, blow

4. changing location by moving back and forth

Similar word(s): swinging, vacillation

Definition categories: act, motion, move, movement

5. a style of jazz played by big bands popular in the 1930s; flowing rhythms but less complex than later styles of jazz

Similar word(s): jive

Definition categories: communication, jazz

6. a jaunty rhythm in music

Similar word(s): lilt

Definition categories: attribute, rhythmicity

7. the act of swinging a golf club at a golf ball and (usually) hitting it

Definition categories: act, shot, stroke

8. in baseball; a batter's attempt to hit a pitched ball

Similar word(s): cut

Definition categories: act, shot, stroke

9. a square dance figure; a pair of dancers join hands and dance around a point between them

Definition categories: act, contradance, contredanse

Sentences with swing as a noun:

- He worked tirelessly to improve his golf swing.

- Door swing indicates direction the door opens.

- the swing of a pendulum

- The polls showed a wide swing to Labour.

verb

1. move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting

- swing a bat

Definition categories: motion, displace, move

2. move or walk in a swinging or swaying manner

Similar word(s): sway

Definition categories: motion

3. change direction with a swinging motion; turn

- swing back

- swing forward

Definition categories: motion, go, locomote, move, travel

4. influence decisively

Definition categories: social, influence, work

5. make a big sweeping gesture or movement

Similar word(s): sweep

Definition categories: contact, handle, manage, wield

6. hang freely

Similar word(s): dangle, drop

Definition categories: stative, hang

7. hit or aim at with a sweeping arm movement

- The soccer player began to swing at the referee

Definition categories: competition, aim, direct, take, train

8. alternate dramatically between high and low values

- his mood swings

- the market is swinging up and down

Definition categories: change

9. live in a lively, modern, and relaxed style

- The Woodstock generation attempted to swing freely

Definition categories: stative, live

10. have a certain musical rhythm

- The music has to swing

Definition categories: stative, be

11. be a social swinger; socialize a lot

Definition categories: social, socialise, socialize

12. play with a subtle and intuitively felt sense of rhythm

Definition categories: creation, play

13. engage freely in promiscuous sex, often with the husband or wife of one's friends

- There were many swinging couples in the 1960's

Definition categories: contact, fornicate

Sentences with swing as a verb:

- If it’s not too expensive, I think we can swing it.

- "to swing one's partner", or simply "to swing"

- The lathe can swing a pulley of 12 inches diameter.

- A ship swings with the tide.