Swing
/swɪŋ/
nounverbB1
Definition
As a verb, swing means to move in a curve or back and forth, like a pendulum or a door opening and closing. As a noun, swing is an object, often a seat hanging from ropes or chains, that moves this way. It can also mean a change in mood or opinion.
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See It in Action
To move back and forth or side to side in a smooth curve (verb)
- •The child likes to swing on the playground every afternoon.
- •The door swings open easily with a little push.
- •The branches swung in the wind during the storm.
A hanging seat or object that moves this way (noun)
- •She sat on the swing and smiled as it moved gently.
- •The park has two swings for children to play on.
- •The old swing creaked as it moved back and forth.
A change or shift in mood, opinion, or situation (noun)
- •There was a swing in public opinion after the news report.
- •The team’s performance showed a swing from bad to good.
- •He felt a swing in his emotions from happy to sad.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "swing" like "move," but with a smooth, curved motion going back and forth or side to side, not just straight
- ✓Picture a playground swing moving gently forward and backward, like a child enjoying the ride
- ✓It's the feeling of freedom and fun when you push yourself higher on a swing
- ✓Sounds like "swing" → imagine swinging a baseball bat or swinging your arms while walking fast
- ✓Think of the song "Swing" or the dance style where people move their bodies in lively, rhythmic ways
- ✓NOT like "jump" (quick up and down), "swing" is slower and smooth movement
- ✓NOT like "slide" (straight line), "swing" moves in an arc or curve
- ✓NOT like "turn" (rotate in place), "swing" moves an object or body part back and forth or side to side
Try Other Words
- •Rock: to move gently back and forth (Use when the movement is softer and slower, like rocking a baby)
- •Sway: to move slowly from side to side (Use when the movement is side to side and less regular)
- •Turn: to rotate or spin around (Use when the object moves around a fixed point rather than back and forth)
- •Oscillate: to move repeatedly between two points (Use in formal or technical contexts for back and forth motion)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: single root word "swing"
- •Etymology: Old English "swingan" meaning to beat, move quickly, or strike
- •Historical development: Originally meant to beat or strike, later expanded to mean smooth back and forth movement
- •Modern usage: Used to describe physical movement, objects that move this way, and metaphorically for changes in mood or opinion
Reflect & Connect
•How does the word "swing" help you describe different kinds of movement in daily life?
•Can you think of times when "swing" describes something more than just physical motion, like feelings or ideas?
Fill in the blanks
1.The child loves to swing ___ on the playground every afternoon.
2.When the wind blows, the branches swing ___ and forth gently.
3.The door swings open ___ with just a small push.
4.There was a sudden swing ___ public opinion after the event.
5.She sat on the swing and smiled as it swung ___ and ___.
6.Unlike a jump, a swing moves in a ___ motion, not straight up and down.
7.The music had a strong swing ___ that made everyone want to dance.