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Definition of swivel verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

swivel

verb
 
/ˈswɪvl/
 
/ˈswɪvl/
Verb Forms
present simple I / you / we / they swivel
 
/ˈswɪvl/
 
/ˈswɪvl/
he / she / it swivels
 
/ˈswɪvlz/
 
/ˈswɪvlz/
past simple swivelled
 
/ˈswɪvld/
 
/ˈswɪvld/
past participle swivelled
 
/ˈswɪvld/
 
/ˈswɪvld/
(US English) past simple swiveled
 
/ˈswɪvld/
 
/ˈswɪvld/
(US English) past participle swiveled
 
/ˈswɪvld/
 
/ˈswɪvld/
-ing form swivelling
 
/ˈswɪvlɪŋ/
 
/ˈswɪvlɪŋ/
(US English) -ing form swiveling
 
/ˈswɪvlɪŋ/
 
/ˈswɪvlɪŋ/
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  1. [transitive, intransitive] swivel (something) (+ adv./prep.) to turn or make something turn around a fixed central point synonym spin
    • She swivelled the chair around to face them.
    Extra Examples
    • He swivelled the board round.
    • The ball should be able to swivel freely in the socket.
  2. [intransitive, transitive] swivel (something) (+ adv./prep.) to turn or move your body, eyes or head around quickly to face another direction synonym swing
    • He swivelled around to look at her.
    Extra Examples
    • Swivelling on her heel, she marched back down the corridor.
    • The man's eyes swivelled away towards the window.
    • I swivelled my head to peer at him.
  3. Word OriginMiddle English, from the base of Old English swīfan ‘to move (along a course), sweep’.
See swivel in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

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