# swapping

/ˈswɑpɪŋ/ (US) · /swˈɒpɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/swapping
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

giving something you have to someone else and getting something from them in return. It is a casual way to say you are trading or changing one thing for another.

For teachers: exchanging one thing for another; substituting one item or person for another. Often used in the present participle form to describe a continuous or planned exchange.

## Examples

- We are swapping seats so I can see the screen better.
- The two collectors spent the afternoon swapping rare stamps to complete their respective sets.
- By swapping traditional incandescent bulbs for energy-efficient LEDs, the facility managed to reduce its monthly electricity consumption by nearly thirty percent without sacrificing light quality.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I am swapping my phone by a new one" but "I am swapping my phone for a new one" — When replacing one thing with another, the verb 'swap' typically takes the preposition 'for'.

## Usage notes

- Transitive verb; often takes the preposition 'for' to indicate the replacement item.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.