Swapping vs. Swing — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 15, 2024
Swapping involves exchanging one item for another, while swing refers to a smooth, curving motion or change, often in context with rhythm or variation.
Difference Between Swapping and Swing
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Swapping is the act of exchanging or trading items, where two or more parties agree to trade goods, services, or other entities of perceived equal value. This action is commonly seen in various contexts such as trading cards, swapping clothes, or even in software development, where data or resources are exchanged. On the other hand, swing encompasses a broader range of meanings, from physical movements to fluctuations in opinions or trends. In a physical sense, swing describes an arc-like motion, such as a pendulum or a person swinging on a swing set, characterized by a smooth and rhythmic back-and-forth movement.
Swapping is transactional and reciprocal, focusing on the exchange process and the value or utility derived from it. For example, swapping an old book for a new one at a book exchange. In contrast, swing is dynamic and can refer to movement, changes in states or conditions, and variations in patterns or rhythms, such as the swing of a golf club or the swing in market trends.
In cultural or social contexts, swapping can be a form of interaction that fosters community and sharing, as seen in swap meets or clothing swap parties, where participants exchange items directly. Swing, however, can signify cultural or social movements, such as the swing era in music, characterized by big band jazz and dance styles like the Lindy Hop.
While swapping is a deliberate action requiring consent and participation from all parties involved, swing can be involuntary or natural, such as the swing of the tides or the swing in weather patterns, showcasing the inherent differences in control and intention between the two terms.
Comparison Chart
Definition
The act of exchanging one item or service for another.
A smooth, curving motion or a change in trends or opinions.
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Context
Trading, bartering, exchanging goods or services.
Physical movement, music styles, fluctuations in trends.
Nature
Transactional and reciprocal.
Dynamic, encompassing movement and rhythmic changes.
Purpose
To obtain something more desired or useful.
To describe movement or indicate changes in states.
Examples
Swapping clothes at a swap meet, data swapping in computing.
Swing dancing, swing in market trends, the swing of a pendulum.
Compare with Definitions
Swapping
Swapping involves trading items or services.
We plan on swapping comic books at the convention.
Swing
Swing refers to a rhythmic back-and-forth motion.
The child laughed while playing on the swing set.
Swapping
It's a mutual agreement between parties.
The neighbors agreed on swapping gardening tools.
Swing
Swing can indicate a shift in trends or opinions.
There's been a swing towards remote work in recent years.
Swapping
Swapping can foster community and sharing.
The community organized a plant swapping event.
Swing
It can denote fluctuations or changes.
The sudden swing in weather caught us off guard.
Swapping
Swapping can occur in various contexts.
Swapping seats with someone can offer a better view.
Swing
Swing is a style in music with a strong groove.
They danced all night to the energetic swing music.
Swapping
It often aims to equalize perceived value.
Swapping recipes at the cookout was a hit.
Swing
In sports, swing describes a type of movement.
His golf swing has improved dramatically this season.
Swapping
To trade one thing for another.
Swing
Move or cause to move back and forth or from side to side while suspended or on an axis
Her long black skirt swung about her legs
The door swung shut behind him
A priest began swinging a censer
Swapping
To exchange (one thing) for another.
Swing
Move by grasping a support from below and leaping
The Irishman swung himself into the saddle
We swung across like two trapeze artists
Swapping
An exchange of one thing for another.
Swing
Move or cause to move in a smooth, curving line
She swung her legs to the side of the bed
The cab swung into the car park
Swapping
A contract in which two parties agree to exchange periodic interest payments, especially when one payment is at a fixed rate and the other varies according to the performance of a reference rate, such as the prime rate.
Swing
Shift or cause to shift from one opinion, mood, or state of affairs to another
Opinion swung in the Chancellor's favour
The failure to seek peace could swing sentiment the other way
Swapping
The act by which something is swapped; an exchange.
Swing
Play music with a flowing but vigorous rhythm
The band swung on
Swapping
Present participle of swap
Swing
(of an event, place, or way of life) be lively, exciting, or fashionable.
Swapping
(archaic) large; whopping
Swing
A seat suspended by ropes or chains, on which someone may sit and swing back and forth.
Swing
An act of swinging
With the swing of her arm, the knife flashed through the air
Swing
A discernible change in opinion, especially the amount by which votes or points scored change from one side to another
A five per cent swing to Labour
Swing
A style of jazz or dance music with a flowing but vigorous rhythm.
Swing
A swift tour involving a number of stops, especially one undertaken as part of a political campaign.
Swing
(in musical theatre) an understudy, typically one who covers multiple roles in the chorus of a particular production.
Swing
To move back and forth suspended or as if suspended from above.
Swing
To hit at something with a sweeping motion of the arm
Swung at the ball.
Swing
To move laterally or in a curve
The car swung over to the curb.
Swing
To turn in place on or as if on a hinge or pivot.
Swing
To move along with an easy, swaying gait
Swinging down the road.
Swing
To propel oneself from one place or position to another by grasping a fixed support
Swinging through the trees.
Swing
To ride on a swing.
Swing
To shift from one attitude, interest, condition, or emotion to another; vacillate.
Swing
(Slang) To be put to death by hanging.
Swing
To have a subtle, intuitively felt rhythm or sense of rhythm.
Swing
To play with a subtle, intuitively felt sense of rhythm.
Swing
To be lively, trendy, and exciting.
Swing
To cause to move back and forth, as on a swing.
Swing
To cause to move in a broad arc or curve
Swing a bat.
Swung the car over.
Swing
To cause to move with a sweeping motion
Swinging his arms.
Swing
To lift and convey with a sweeping motion
Swung the cargo onto the deck.
Swing
To suspend so as to sway or turn freely
Swung a hammock between two trees.
Swing
To suspend on hinges
Swing a shutter.
Swing
To cause to turn on hinges
Swung the door shut.
Swing
To cause to shift from one attitude, position, opinion, or condition to another.
Swing
To manage or arrange successfully
Swing a deal.
Swing
To bring around to the desired result
Swing an election.
Swing
(Music) To play (music) with a subtle, intuitively felt sense of rhythm.
Swing
The act or an instance of swinging; movement back and forth or in one particular direction.
Swing
The sweep or scope of something that swings
The pendulum's swing is 12 inches.
Swing
A blow or stroke executed with a sweeping motion of the arm.
Swing
The manner in which one swings something, such as a bat or golf club.
Swing
A shift from one attitude, position, or condition to another
A swing to conservatism.
Swing
Freedom of action
The children have free swing in deciding what color to paint their room.
Swing
A swaying, graceful motion
Has a swing to her walk.
Swing
A sweep back and forth
The swing of a bird across the sky.
Swing
A course or tour that returns to the starting point
A swing across the state while campaigning.
Swing
A seat suspended from above, as by ropes, on which one can ride back and forth for recreation.
Swing
The normal rhythm of life or pace of activities
Back in the swing.
Swing
A steady, vigorous rhythm or movement, as in verse.
Swing
A regular movement up or down, as in stock prices.
Swing
A type of popular dance music developed about 1935 and based on jazz but employing a larger band, less improvisation, and simpler harmonic and rhythmic patterns.
Swing
A ballroom dance performed to this music.
Swing
A subtle, intuitively felt rhythmic quality or sense of rhythm.
Swing
(Music) Relating to or performing swing
A swing band.
Swing
Determining an outcome; decisive
The swing vote.
Swing
(intransitive) To rotate about an off-centre fixed point.
The plant swung in the breeze.
Swing
(intransitive) To dance.
Swing
(intransitive) To ride on a swing.
The children laughed as they swung.
Swing
(intransitive) To participate in the swinging lifestyle; to participate in wife-swapping.
Swing
(intransitive) To hang from the gallows; to be punished by hanging, swing for something or someone; (often hyperbolic) to be severely punished.
Swing
To move sideways in its trajectory.
Swing
To make the ball move sideways in its trajectory.
Swing
(intransitive) To fluctuate or change.
It wasn't long before the crowd's mood swung towards restless irritability.
Swing
(transitive) To move (an object) backward and forward; to wave.
He swung his sword as hard as he could.
Swing
(transitive) To change (a numerical result); especially to change the outcome of an election.
Swing
(transitive) To make (something) work; especially to afford (something) financially.
If it’s not too expensive, I think we can swing it.
Swing
To play notes that are in pairs by making the first of the pair slightly longer than written (augmentation) and the second shorter, resulting in a bouncy, uneven rhythm.
Swing
To move one's arm in a punching motion.
Swing
(transitive) In dancing, to turn around in a small circle with one's partner, holding hands or arms.
"to swing one's partner", or simply "to swing"
Swing
To admit or turn something for the purpose of shaping it; said of a lathe.
The lathe can swing a pulley of 12 inches diameter.
Swing
To put (a door, gate, etc.) on hinges so that it can swing or turn.
Swing
(nautical) To turn round by action of wind or tide when at anchor.
A ship swings with the tide.
Swing
The manner in which something is swung.
He worked tirelessly to improve his golf swing.
Door swing indicates direction the door opens.
The swing of a pendulum
Swing
The sweep or compass of a swinging body.
Swing
A line, cord, or other thing suspended and hanging loose, upon which anything may swing.
Swing
A hanging seat in a children's playground, for acrobats in a circus, or on a porch for relaxing.
Swing
A dance style.
Swing
(music) The genre of music associated with this dance style.
Swing
The amount of change towards or away from something.
Swing
(politics) In an election, the increase or decrease in the number of votes for opposition parties compared with votes for the incumbent party.
The polls showed a wide swing to Labour.
Swing
(cricket) Sideways movement of the ball as it flies through the air.
Swing
Capacity of a turning lathe, as determined by the diameter of the largest object that can be turned in it.
Swing
In a musical theater production, a performer who understudies several roles.
Swing
A basic dance step in which a pair link hands and turn round together in a circle.
Swing
(obsolete) Free course; unrestrained liberty.
Swing
Influence or power of anything put in motion.
Swing
(boxing) A type of hook with the arm more extended.
Swing
To move to and fro, as a body suspended in the air; to wave; to vibrate; to oscillate.
I tried if a pendulum would swing faster, or continue swinging longer, in case of exsuction of the air.
Swing
To sway or move from one side or direction to another; as, the door swung open.
Swing
To turn round by action of wind or tide when at anchor; as, a ship swings with the tide.
Swing
To be hanged.
He had swung round the circle of theories and systems in which his age abounded, without finding relief.
Swing
To cause to swing or vibrate; to cause to move backward and forward, or from one side to the other.
He swings his tail, and swiftly turns his round.
They get on ropes, as you must have seen the children, and are swung by their men visitants.
Swing
To give a circular movement to; to whirl; to brandish; as, to swing a sword; to swing a club; hence, colloquially, to manage; as, to swing a business.
Swing
To admit or turn (anything) for the purpose of shaping it; - said of a lathe; as, the lathe can swing a pulley of 12 inches diameter.
Swing
The act of swinging; a waving, oscillating, or vibratory motion of a hanging or pivoted object; oscillation; as, the swing of a pendulum.
Swing
Swaying motion from one side or direction to the other; as, some men walk with a swing.
Swing
A line, cord, or other thing suspended and hanging loose, upon which anything may swing; especially, an apparatus for recreation by swinging, commonly consisting of a rope, the two ends of which are attached overhead, as to the bough of a tree, a seat being placed in the loop at the bottom; also, any contrivance by which a similar motion is produced for amusement or exercise.
Swing
Influence of power of a body put in swaying motion.
The ram that batters down the wall,For the great swing and rudeness of his poise,They place before his hand that made the engine.
Swing
Capacity of a turning lathe, as determined by the diameter of the largest object that can be turned in it.
Swing
Free course; unrestrained liberty or license; tendency.
To prevent anything which may prove an obstacle to the full swing of his genius.
Swing
A state of steady vigorous action that is characteristic of an activity;
The party went with a swing
It took time to get into the swing of things
Swing
Mechanical device used as a plaything to support someone swinging back and forth
Swing
A sweeping blow or stroke;
He took a wild swing at my head
Swing
Changing location by moving back and forth
Swing
A style of jazz played by big bands popular in the 1930s; flowing rhythms but less complex than later styles of jazz
Swing
A jaunty rhythm in music
Swing
The act of swinging a golf club at a golf ball and (usually) hitting it
Swing
In baseball; a batter's attempt to hit a pitched ball;
He took a vicious cut at the ball
Swing
A square dance figure; a pair of dancers join hands and dance around a point between them
Swing
Move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting;
He swung his left fist
Swing a bat
Swing
Move or walk in a swinging or swaying manner;
He swung back
Swing
Change direction with a swinging motion; turn;
Swing back
Swing forward
Swing
Influence decisively;
This action swung many votes over to his side
Swing
Make a big sweeping gesture or movement
Swing
Hang freely;
The ornaments dangled from the tree
The light dropped from the ceiling
Swing
Hit or aim at with a sweeping arm movement;
The soccer player began to swing at the referee
Swing
Alternate dramatically between high and low values;
His mood swings
The market is swinging up and down
Swing
Live in a lively, modern, and relaxed style;
The Woodstock generation attempted to swing freely
Swing
Have a certain musical rhythm;
The music has to swing
Swing
Be a social swinger; socialize a lot
Swing
Play with a subtle and intuitively felt sense of rhythm
Common Curiosities
Can swapping involve digital goods?
Yes, swapping can involve digital goods, such as software, digital media, or online services.
Can swing be applied to emotional states?
Yes, swing can describe fluctuations in emotional states, such as mood swings, indicating rapid changes in emotions.
Can swapping be a form of recycling?
Yes, swapping can be a sustainable practice, allowing items to be reused and repurposed, thus contributing to recycling efforts.
How does swing affect trends?
Swing in trends refers to shifts or changes in popular opinion, interest, or behavior over time.
What is swapping?
Swapping is the act of exchanging items or services of perceived equal value between two or more parties.
Is swapping always an equal trade?
Swapping aims for perceived equal value, though actual value may vary based on individual needs or desires.
How does swapping benefit communities?
Swapping fosters a sense of community by encouraging sharing, reducing waste, and allowing access to a variety of goods.
What is a swing vote?
A swing vote is a vote that can go either way in an election and is often crucial in determining the outcome.
What does it mean to swing in music?
In music, to swing means to play with a strong rhythmic groove that creates a feeling of syncopation and flow.
How is swing used in sports?
In sports, swing refers to the motion used in activities like golf or baseball, focusing on the technique and rhythm of the movement.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
