Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense swivels, present participle swivelling, past tense, past participle swivelledregional note: in AM, use swiveling, swiveled
1. verb
If something swivels or if you swivel it, it turns around a central point so that it is facing in a different direction.
She swivelled her chair round and stared out across the back lawn. [VERB noun adverb/preposition]
His chairs can swivel, but they can't move up or down. [VERB]
[Also VERB noun]
2. verb
If you swivel in a particular direction, you turn suddenly in that direction.
He swivelled round to face Sarah. [VERB adverb/preposition]
Synonyms: turn, spin, revolve, rotate More Synonyms of swivel
3. ergative verb
If your head or your eyes swivel in a particular direction or if you swivel them in a particular direction, you quickly look in that direction.
Roger swivelled his head to look at her. [VERB noun]
[Also VERB]
More Synonyms of swivel
swivel in British English
(ˈswɪvəl)
noun
1.
a coupling device which allows an attached object to turn freely
2.
such a device made of two parts which turn independently, such as a compound link of a chain
3.
a.
a pivot on which is mounted a gun that may be swung from side to side in a horizontal plane
b. Also called: swivel gun
the gun itself
verbWord forms: -els, -elling, -elledWord forms: US-els, -eling or -eled
4.
to turn or swing on or as if on a pivot
5. (transitive)
to provide with, secure by, or support with a swivel
Derived forms
swivel-like (ˈswivel-ˌlike)
adjective
Word origin
C14: from Old English swīfan to turn; see swift
swivel in American English
(ˈswɪvəl)
noun
1.
a coupling device that allows free turning of the parts attached to it; specif., a chain link made in two parts, one piece fitting like a collar below the bolt head of the other and turning freely about it
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈswiveled or ˈswivelled, ˈswiveling or ˈswivelling
2.
to cause to turn or rotate on or as if on a swivel
3.
to fit, fasten, or support with a swivel
verb intransitive
4.
to turn on or as if on a swivel
Word origin
ME swiuel < base of OE swifan, to revolve, turn: for IE base see swift
Examples of 'swivel' in a sentence
swivel
The seats swivel to face forward or the window.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
They face each other on white swivel chairs.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
He sits on a swivel chair in his recording studio.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Her eyes swivel and look through me.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
We call it keeping your head on a swivel.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Workers choose from three swivel chairs and are told how to use them as part of safety training.
The Sun (2011)
The Epsom swivel chair is considered to be another design classic.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
He greeted the audience by showing off his podium's swivel chair with a grin.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
If impressed, they push red button and swivel round to see the act.
The Sun (2012)
Inside, only two swivel chairs remain of the original equipment.
Christianity Today (2000)
I lean forwards in my swivel studio chair.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
My eyes do not swivel.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
All eyes swivel towards him.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Those with their backs to the action get swivel chairs and video monitors in the wall so they don't miss out.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
All he had to do was swivel round, take a couple of steps to the try line and claim another try.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It might not cause other motorists to swivel round in their seat, nor will it send a frisson through crowds on the pavement.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
I would have pressed my swivel chair 's button for that one.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The auditions are the most entertaining aspect of the series, as we wait to see if the coaches will swivel round in their chairs.
The Sun (2015)
Music swirls, eyes swivel - and no wonder.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Her eyes don't swivel, but you almost wish they would.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The Voice is famous for its judges sitting with their backs to contestants in revolving chairs, which they swivel round in when one impresses them.
The Sun (2016)
I tell him the one where I was meant to swivel my eyes in figures of eight made my eyes hurt.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
In other languages
swivel
British English: swivel VERB
If something swivels or if you swivel it, it turns around a central point so that it is facing in a different direction.
She swivelled her chair and stared out the window.
American English: swivel
Brazilian Portuguese: girar sobre um eixo
Chinese: 旋转
European Spanish: girar
French: faire pivoter
German: herumdrehen
Italian: girare
Japanese: 回転させる/回転する
Korean: 회전시키다
European Portuguese: girar sobre um eixo
Latin American Spanish: girar
All related terms of 'swivel'
swivel-eyed
having or displaying extreme or fanatical views
swivel gun
a coupling device which allows an attached object to turn freely
swivel head
A swivel head is a bearing between the traveling block and the kelly .
swivel pin
the most important person in an organization
swivel chair
A swivel chair is a chair whose seat can be turned around a central point to face in a different direction without moving the legs.
kingpin
If you describe someone as the kingpin of an organization, you mean that they are the most important person involved in it.
Chinese translation of 'swivel'
swivel
(ˈswɪvl)
vi
to swivel round转(轉)动(動) (zhuǎndòng)
vt
to swivel sth round使某物转(轉)动(動) (shǐ mǒuwù zhuǎndòng)
(verb)
Definition
to turn on or swing round on a central point
He swivelled round to face Sarah.
Synonyms
turn
As the wheel turned, the potter shaped the clay.
spin
The Earth spins on its own axis.
revolve
The entire circle revolved slowly.
rotate
The earth rotates round the sun.
pivot
The boat pivoted on its central axis.
pirouette
She pirouetted in front of the mirror.
swing round
(noun)
a slight swivel of the hips
Synonyms
turn
The rear sprocket will turn only twice for one turn of the pedals.
rotation
the daily rotation of the earth upon its axis
pirouette
a ballerina famous for her pirouettes
swinging round
Additional synonyms
in the sense of pirouette
Definition
to perform a pirouette
She pirouetted in front of the mirror.
Synonyms
spin,
turn,
whirl,
pivot,
twirl
in the sense of pirouette
Definition
a body spin performed on the toes or the ball of the foot