swivel

Everyday

1. To swivel is to turn round on one spot, like turning in a chair or turning your head quickly. tree →
2. A swivel is a joint or part that lets something turn round while staying in place. tree →
3. A swivel chair is an office chair that can turn round. tree →

In the lessons

In stories, a character swivels round to see who is behind; owls can swivel their heads a long way. In technology, swivel joints let parts turn, like on a dog's lead or a desk lamp. In everyday life, children spin on swivel chairs (safely, not standing on them).

Examples

• She swivelled round in her chair to face us. tree →
• Owls can swivel their heads very far. tree →
• He swivelled his eyes towards the door. tree →
• The camera swivels to follow the action. tree →
• Don't stand on the swivel chair; it can turn and tip. tree →
• The lamp has a swivel arm. tree →
• The teacher swivelled to look at the class. tree →

Note

In UK English the l doubles: «swivelled, swivelling»; in US English: «swiveled, swiveling». Pronounced SWIV-ul. A swivel turns on one spot; it does not move along.