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to swivel

to swivel

27 4.7
To turn around on a point to face a different way
  • verb
  • /ˈswɪvəl/
translation icon : girar
  • The chair swivels to the left and the right.
  • swiveling chair

So when you press it, it swivels open ever so luxuriously.

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Examples

  • Tony grabs a chair, swivels it around, and hikes a leg over it.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • The office chair can swivel 360 degrees, making it easy to reach for things without getting up.

  • So see this, it can swivel either way you want it to go, which is great.

  • These are great chairs that swivel so you can look over into view.

  • There'd be screens around me, and I could swivel around.

  • Each player holds a handle that swivels horizontally.

  • The bottom disk can swivel, and I lock it in place with a nut welded onto the bolt.

  • When the group stood up, she swiveled toward the bar and hunched over her drink.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • I switched it off and swiveled my judge's chair around to the computer terminal.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Natale agonized over the decision; his head swiveled back and forth as he tried to choose.

    Fiction book (1992)

Synonyms

to spin
vsto swivel
227 1.0

To make something turn around quickly

emphasizes turning on a small fixed point rather than fast motion
to rotate
vsto swivel
144 3.0

To turn around a central point, like a wheel or planet

emphasizes turning around a small fixed point rather than any axis
to swirl
vsto swivel
120 2.7

To move in a twisting or circular way

refers to turning about a small fixed point rather than flowing motion
to spin around
vsto swivel
38 2.1

To turn your body quickly in a circle many times

means turning around a small fixed point, not rapid repeated turns
to wheel
vsto swivel
24 4.1

To turn quickly to face a different direction

focuses on turning about a small fixed point, not sudden directional change
to whirl
vsto swivel
17 2.6

To turn quickly in a circle or twist

describes a fixed point turn rather than rapid twisting movement
to pivot
vsto swivel
12 4.2

To turn around a fixed point

has the same meaning and use with no practical difference
to whirl around
vsto swivel
9 3.7

To move quickly in a circle, often through the air

applies to turning on a small fixed point, not continuous aerial turning
to wheel around
vsto swivel
3 4.2

To turn quickly to face a different direction

describes turning around a small fixed point rather than quick shifts

Idioms

To stay very alert and watch what is happening around you

Compounds

4 2.8

A chair with a seat that turns around a fixed base

swivel pin
  • Specialized
7.5

A metal part that turns to let a car's wheel move when you steer

How Fast

to spin
227 1.0
to pivot
12 4.2
to swivel
27 4.7
to rotate
144 3.0
turn
485 1.0

Surface Forms

swivel infinitive
swiveled past
swiveled past participle
swiveling present participle
swivels third person singular

Etymology

Swivel also comes from an old word meaning 'to turn' and is like turn or swing, so to swivel is to rotate on a fixed point or pivot.