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swing

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verb British English pronunciation: swing /swɪŋ/ 
Word Forms
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present tense
I/you/we/theyswing
he/she/itswings
present participleswinging
past tenseswung
past participleswung
 
  1. 1
    [intransitive/transitive] to move, or to make something move, backwards and forwards or from one side to another, especially from a fixed point

    Swing your arms loosely at your sides.

    The rope bridge was swinging in the breeze.

    swing to and fro:

    A restaurant sign swung to and fro in the wind.

    swing back and forth:

    As she shook her head, her earrings swung back and forth.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  swingThesaurus entry for this meaning of swing
    1. a.
      [intransitive] to move backwards and forwards on a seat called a swing
      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  swingThesaurus entry for this meaning of swing
  2. 2
    [intransitive/transitive] to move in a particular direction with a smooth curving movement, or to make something move in this way
    swing at/towards/around/into etc:

    Brown swung the ball towards the near post.

    swing something into/around/out etc:

    I swung the car into a narrow side street.

    swing towards/round etc:

    She swung round and stared angrily at us.

    swing open/shut:

    The door swung shut with a loud bang.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  swingThesaurus entry for this meaning of swing
  3. 3
    [intransitive/transitive] to try to hit someone or something by making a smooth curving movement with your hand, a weapon, or a piece of sports equipment
    swing something at something/someone:

    He swung the bat wildly at the ball, missing it completely.

    swing at:

    Mrs Shaw swung at the youth with her umbrella.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  swingThesaurus entry for this meaning of swing
  4. 4
    [intransitive/transitive] to change from one emotion, condition, idea etc to another, or to make someone or something change in this way

    She should be able to swing a significant number of women’s votes.

    swing something away from someone/something:

    This latest scandal could swing popular support away from them.

    swing from:

    My mother’s moods swing from depression to elation.

    swing the other way:

    Public opinion has begun to swing the other way (=away from what it was before).

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  swingThesaurus entry for this meaning of swing

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This is the British English definition of swing. View American English definition of swing.

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