What does "swinging" mean?
The act or motion of that which swings.
Swinging
/ˈswɪŋɪŋ/ adj, noun, verb, slang
adj, noun, verb, slang ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The act or motion of that which swings.
- Grammar: swinging is listed as adj, noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: aberrancy, aberration, angular momentum, angular motion.
- Useful contrasts: celibacy, disregard, dull.
- Usage evidence: The lamp was swinging back and forth.
How to use "swinging"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "swinging" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "swinging" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "swinging" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "swinging" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "swinging" is acting as adj, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "aberrancy" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "swinging", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The act or motion of that which swings. countable, uncountable
"Mr. Henderson's chief trouble seems to be that he cannot forget his old shiftiness of views and his pendulum-like swingings between Liberalism and Independent Labourism[…]"
- 2 changing location by moving back and forth wordnet
- 3 An activity where couples engage in sexual activity with different partners, often in a group setting. countable, uncountable
"Then one night in bed, Simon gently suggested swinging. I was resistant to it, but I thought Simon might leave me if I said no. I agreed to it for him, for our relationship."
Verb
- 1 present participle and gerund of swing form-of, gerund, participle, present
Adjective
- 1 Fine, good, successful. informal
"1964, Lou Sullivan, personal diary, quoted in 2019, Ellis Martin, Zach Ozma (editors), We Both Laughed In Pleasure Didn't do anything great except saw "The Beatles" on The Ed Sullivan Show and Kathy practically had a bird. They are sorta cute but I think Ringo is swingin, George is cute, Paul is a good singer and John is icky. Too!"
- 2 Alternative form of swingeing. alt-of, alternative
"“It is an eating fever then,” says the landlady; “for he hath devoured two swinging buttered toasts this morning for breakfast.”"
- 3 Sexually promiscuous.
"Hey, everyone fantasizes about what kind of swinging stud or studette they could be if they were only free from the shackles of domesticity."
Adjective
- 1 characterized by a buoyant rhythm wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"The lamp was swinging back and forth."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "swinging"?
Common synonyms include: aberrancy, aberration, angular momentum, angular motion, angular velocity, axial motion.
How do you use "swinging" in a sentence?
The lamp was swinging back and forth.
How do you pronounce "swinging"?
Pronounced /ˈswɪŋɪŋ/.
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.