swinging

[swing-ing] /ˈswɪŋ ɪŋ/
adjective, superlative swingingest.
1.
characterized by or capable of swinging, being swung, or causing to swing.
2.
intended for swinging upon, by, from, or in:
the swinging devices in a playground.
3.
Slang. excellent; first-rate.
4.
Slang. lively, active, and modern; hip.
5.
Slang.
  1. free and uninhibited sexually:
    a swinging bachelor.
  2. exchanging spouses for sex:
    swinging married couples.
noun
6.
the activity or act of a person who swings.
7.
Slang.
  1. the act or practice of being free and uninhibited sexually.
  2. the exchanging of spouses for sex.
Origin
1550-60; swing1 + -ing2
Related forms
swingingly, adverb

swing1

[swing] /swɪŋ/
verb (used with object), swung, swinging.
1.
to cause to move to and fro, sway, or oscillate, as something suspended from above:
to swing one's arms in walking.
2.
to cause to move in alternate directions or in either direction around a fixed point, on an axis, or on a line of support, as a door on hinges.
3.
to move (the hand or something held) with an oscillating or rotary movement:
to swing one's fists; to swing a club around one's head.
4.
Aeronautics. to pull or turn (a propeller) by hand, especially in order to start the engine.
5.
to turn in a new direction in a curve, as if around a central point:
to swing the car into the driveway.
6.
to suspend so as to hang freely, as a hammock or a door.
7.
Informal. to influence or win over; manage or arrange as desired:
to swing votes; to swing a business deal.
8.
to direct, change, or shift (one's interest, opinion, support, etc.).
9.
to turn (a ship or aircraft) to various headings in order to check compass deviation.
verb (used without object), swung, swinging.
10.
to move or sway to and fro, as a pendulum or other suspended object.
11.
to move to and fro in a swing, as for recreation.
12.
to move in alternate directions or in either direction around a point, an axis, or a line of support, as a gate on its hinges.
13.
to move in a curve, as around a corner or central point:
The highway swings to the east.
14.
to move with a free, swaying motion, as soldiers on the march.
15.
to be suspended so as to hang freely, as a bell or hammock.
16.
to move by grasping a support with the hands and drawing up the arms or using the momentum of the swaying body:
a monkey swinging through trees.
17.
to change or shift one's attention, interest, opinion, condition, etc.:
He swung from mere indifference to outright scorn.
18.
to hit at someone or something, with the hand or something grasped in the hand:
The batter swung and struck out.
19.
Slang.
  1. to be characterized by a modern, lively atmosphere:
    Las Vegas swings all year.
  2. to be stylish, trendy, hip, etc., especially in pursuing enjoyment.
  3. to engage uninhibitedly in sexual activity.
  4. (of married couples) to exchange partners for sexual activity.
20.
Informal. to suffer death by hanging:
He'll swing for the crime.
noun
21.
the act, manner, or progression of swinging; movement in alternate directions or in a particular direction.
22.
the amount or extent of such movement:
to correct the swing of a pendulum.
23.
a curving movement or course.
24.
a moving of the body with a free, swaying motion, as in walking.
25.
a blow or stroke with the hand or an object grasped in the hands:
His swing drove the ball over the fence.
26.
a change or shift in attitude, opinion, behavior, etc.
27.
a steady, marked rhythm or movement, as of verse or music.
28.
a regular upward or downward movement in the price of a commodity or of a security, or in any business activity.
29.
Informal.
  1. a work period coming between the regular day and night shifts.
  2. a change by a group of workers from working one shift to working another.
30.
freedom of action:
to have free swing in carrying out a project.
31.
active operation; progression:
to get into the swing of things.
32.
something that is swung or that swings.
33.
a seat suspended from above by means of a loop of rope or between ropes or rods, on which one may sit and swing to and fro for recreation.
34.
the maximum diameter of the work machinable in a certain lathe or other machine tool.
adjective
35.
of or pertaining to a swing.
36.
capable of determining the outcome, as of an election; deciding:
the swing vote.
37.
designed or constructed to permit swinging or hanging.
38.
acting to relieve other workers when needed, as at night.
Idioms
39.
in full swing, operating at the highest speed or level of activity; in full operation:
Automobile production is in full swing.
40.
swing round the circle, to tour an area on a political campaign.
41.
take a swing at, to strike or attempt to strike with the fist:
to take a swing at a rude waiter.
Origin
before 900; Middle English swingen (v.), Old English swingan; cognate with German schwingen
Related forms
swingable, adjective
Synonyms
10. Swing, sway, oscillate, rock suggest a movement back and forth. Swing expresses the comparatively regular motion to and fro of a body supported from the end or ends, especially from above: A lamp swings from the ceiling. To sway is to swing gently and is used especially of fixed objects or of persons: Young oaks sway in the breeze. Oscillate refers to the smooth, regular, alternating movement of a body within certain limits between two fixed points. Rock indicates the slow and regular movement back and forth of a body, as on curved supports: A cradle rocks. 21. sway, vibration, oscillation. 22. range, scope, sweep, play.

swing2

[swing] /swɪŋ/
noun
1.
Also called Big Band music, swing music. a style of jazz, popular especially in the 1930s and often arranged for a large dance band, marked by a smoother beat and more flowing phrasing than Dixieland and having less complex harmonies and rhythms than modern jazz.
2.
the rhythmic element that excites dancers and listeners to move in time to jazz music.
adjective
3.
of, pertaining to, or characteristic of swing:
a swing record.
verb (used with object), swung, swinging.
4.
to play (music) in the style of swing.
Origin
special use of swing1
Examples from the web for swinging
  • They tore forward in a flying wedge, swinging their clubs at people in the way.
  • He looks up, gives the band behind him a nod, and suddenly everybody's swinging.
  • These warriors were swinging wide, swooping around the end of the line.
  • The public spotlight is swinging ineluctably toward the publics.
  • Maybe the author shouldn't have come out swinging at non-adopters, but that doesn't mean he's wrong.
  • swinging his truck door open, the driver obligingly steps onto the cab seat and reaches for the roof.
  • Humans aren't the only mammals with a swinging singles scene.
  • These features, together with a flexible wrist joint, are thought to help in swinging from branches.
  • We would still be grunting in caves or swinging through the trees.
  • However, that does not justify swinging to the other extreme and saying that no cases of alcoholism are a disease.
British Dictionary definitions for swinging

swinging

/ˈswɪŋɪŋ/
adjective
1.
moving rhythmically to and fro
2.
(slang) modern and lively
noun
3.
(slang) the practice of swapping sexual partners in a group, esp habitually
Derived Forms
swingingly, adverb

swing

/swɪŋ/
verb swings, swinging, swung
1.
to move or cause to move rhythmically to and fro, as a free-hanging object; sway
2.
(intransitive) to move, walk, etc, with a relaxed and swaying motion
3.
to pivot or cause to pivot, as on a hinge
4.
to move or cause to move in a curve: the car swung around the bend
5.
to move or cause to move by suspending or being suspended
6.
to hang or be hung so as to be able to turn freely
7.
(intransitive) (slang) to be hanged: he'll swing for it
8.
to alter or cause to alter habits, a course, etc
9.
(transitive) (informal) to influence or manipulate successfully: I hope he can swing the deal
10.
(transitive) foll by up. to raise or hoist, esp in a sweeping motion
11.
(intransitive) often foll by at. to hit out or strike (at), esp with a sweeping motion
12.
(transitive) to wave (a weapon, etc) in a sweeping motion; flourish
13.
to arrange or play (music) with the rhythmically flexible and compulsive quality associated with jazz
14.
(intransitive) (of popular music, esp jazz, or of the musicians who play it) to have this quality
15.
(slang) to be lively and modern
16.
(intransitive) (slang) to swap sexual partners in a group, esp habitually
17.
(intransitive) (cricket) to bowl (a ball) with swing or (of a ball) to move with a swing
18.
to turn (a ship or aircraft) in order to test compass error
19.
(slang) swing both ways, to enjoy sexual partners of both sexes
20.
(informal) swing the lead, to malinger or make up excuses
noun
21.
the act or manner of swinging or the distance covered while swinging: a wide swing
22.
a sweeping stroke or blow
23.
(boxing) a wide punch from the side similar to but longer than a hook
24.
(cricket) the lateral movement of a bowled ball through the air
25.
any free-swaying motion
26.
any curving movement; sweep
27.
something that swings or is swung, esp a suspended seat on which a person may sit and swing back and forth
28.
  1. a kind of popular dance music influenced by jazz, usually played by big bands and originating in the 1930s
  2. (as modifier): swing music
29.
See swingbeat
30.
(prosody) a steady distinct rhythm or cadence in prose or verse
31.
(informal) the normal round or pace: get into the swing of things
32.
  1. a fluctuation, as in some business activity, voting pattern etc
  2. (as modifier) able to bring about a swing in a voting pattern: swing party
  3. (as modifier) having a mixed voting history, and thus becoming a target for political election campaigners: a swing state
33.
(US, informal) free scope; freedom of activity
34.
(mainly US) a circular tour
35.
(Canadian) a tour of a particular area or region
36.
(Canadian) (in the North) a train of freight sleighs or canoes
37.
go with a swing, to go well; be successful
38.
in full swing, at the height of activity
39.
swings and roundabouts, equal advantages and disadvantages
Word Origin
Old English swingan; related to Old Frisian swinga, Old High German swingan
Word Origin and History for swinging
adj.

"uninhibited," 1958, present participle adjective from swing (v.).

swing

v.

Old English swingan "to rush, fling oneself," from Proto-Germanic *swenganan (cf. Old Saxon, Old High German swingan, Old Frisian swinga, German schwingen "to swing, swingle, oscillate") denoting "violent circulatory motion." The meaning "move freely back and forth" is first recorded 1540s. Related: Swung; swinging. Swing shift first recorded 1941, typically 4 p.m. to midnight.

n.

late 14c., "a stroke with a weapon," from swing (v.). Sense of "an apparatus that swings" is first recorded 1680s. Meaning "shift of public opinion" is from 1899. The meaning "variety of big dance-band music with a swinging rhythm" is first recorded 1933, though the sense has been traced back to 1888; its heyday was from mid-30s to mid-40s. Phrase in full swing "in total effect or operation" (1560s) probably is from bell-ringing.

swinging in Culture

swing definition


A kind of jazz generally played by a “Big Band” and characterized by a lively rhythm suitable for dancing. The bands of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, and Glenn Miller played swing.

Slang definitions & phrases for swinging

swing

noun
  1. A style of white jazz music of the 1930s and '40s, developed from hot jazz and usually played by big bands: That pastime was called Swing, and its king, Benny Goodman, and most of its greatest exponents and exploiters were quartered here in New York (1899+)
  2. An interval between work periods: with two hours' swing in the afternoon for lunch (1943+)
verb
  1. To have a strong but easy and pleasant impetus: Chaucer and Jazz are quite similar; they both swing, they both have the same punch, vitality, and guts (1935+ Musicians)
  2. To perform very well, as a good jazz musician does: It is appropriate that gifted, gravel-voiced Herschel Bernardi should swing eight times a week in this particular hit (1918+)
  3. To have a good time; enjoy oneself hugely, as at a good party (1957+ Black)
  4. To do the sex act, esp promiscuously with various partners either seriatim or at once: The sexual revolution is not new; people have been swinging as long as they are on this earth (1964+)
  5. To be stylish, au courant, sophisticated, etc; be HIP: ''Songs for Swingin' Lovers'' (1961+)
  6. To be a member of a teenage street gang (1960s+ Street gang)
  7. To pull off; execute: Can you swing it

Idioms and Phrases with swinging

swing

In addition to the idiom beginning with
swing
also see: