# swung

/ˈswəŋ/ (US) · /swˈʌŋ/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Verb

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

## Definition

the past tense of swing. It means you moved something back and forth from a fixed point, or you moved your body in a wide curve.

For teachers: the past tense and past participle of 'swing'. Refers to the completed action of moving back and forth from a fixed point or moving in a sweeping curve.

## Examples

- He swung the bat and hit the ball.
- The children laughed as they swung higher and higher on the playground equipment.
- The heavy pendulum swung rhythmically across the clock face, marking each second with a metallic click that echoed through the empty hallway.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He swinged the door open." but "He swung the door open." — Swing is an irregular verb; the past tense is 'swung', not 'swinged'.

## Usage notes

- Irregular past tense of 'swing'. Can be used transitively with an object or intransitively.

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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.