swivel

1 of 2

noun

swiv·​el ˈswi-vəl 

often attributive

: a device joining two parts so that one or both can pivot freely (as on a bolt or pin)

swivel

2 of 2

verb

swiveled or swivelled; swiveling or swivelling ˈswi-və-liŋ 

ˈswiv-liŋ

transitive verb

: to turn on or as if on a swivel

swiveled his eyes in various directions

intransitive verb

: to swing or turn on or as if on a swivel

Synonyms

Verb

• rotate
• swing
• turn
• spin
• twist
• twirl
• pivot
• swirl

Examples of swivel in a Sentence

Noun

The gun was mounted on a swivel.

Verb

She swiveled in her seat to check the time.

She swiveled the chair around to face us.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Six heat settings, one-hour auto-shutoff feature, and it's designed with a nine-foot swivel cord. —Wired, Wired News, 9 July 2025

Order a Capri-Sun, perch on a stool, and swivel between watching the world go by and chef Ashleigh Shanti at the helm. —Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 26 May 2025

Verb

Isabella Rossellini, an old friend of the designers’, walked into the hotel lounge; heads swivelled. —D. T. Max, New Yorker, 28 July 2025

And to make every departure and arrival a smooth, stumble-free, and social media–worthy occasion, this throne also swivels 45 degrees—like that of a 1960 Chrysler—to ease ingress and egress. —Brett Berk, Robb Report, 8 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English; akin to Old English swīfan to revolve, Old High German swebōn to roll, heave

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1775, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing swivel

• swivel chair
• swivel-hipped

Rhymes for swivel

• civil
• divil
• drivel
• shrivel
• uncivil

Kids Definition

swivel

1 of 2 noun

swiv·​el ˈswiv-əl 

: a device joining two parts so that one or both can turn freely

swivel

2 of 2 verb

swiveled or swivelled; swiveling or swivelling

ˈswiv-(ə-)liŋ

: to turn on or as if on a swivel