What does swivelling mean?
Swivelling describes a controlled turn around a central pivot. The word is most often used of chairs, monitors, wheels, and similar mechanisms, but it can also describe a person or animal turning the head or body sharply to look behind or toward something else. As a verb form, it is the present participle of swivel; as an adjective, it identifies something mounted so that it can rotate or be turned. The movement is generally smooth and purposeful rather than a complete reversal. Swivelling is neutral in tone, although the mechanical image can make it mildly colourful. In British spelling, the final l is doubled; American usage more often writes swiveling. The word is especially useful for describing an object's rotating design or a quick sideways glance, making the direction and pivot of the movement explicit.
Turning or able to turn on a central pivot.
"The camera was swivelling towards the speaker as the presentation began."
As the present participle of swivel, it may also form a gerund construction, as in 'the swivelling of the camera'.
Designed or mounted so as to rotate on a central pivot.
"The editor swivelled the swivelling monitor towards the guest."
Common in constructions such as swivelling chair, swivelling head, and swivelling screen.
A swivel turns on a pin, so swivelling is motion guided by one decisive point.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does swivelling come from?
The form swivelling is the present participle of swivel, whose Middle English ancestor swivele dates from the medieval period. The noun and verb ultimately came through medieval English and Old French from a Germanic stem associated with turning or swinging. Its relations are commonly identified with forms such as sweep and swerve, although the precise remote origin of the swivel stem remains somewhat uncertain.
Related word forms
How swivelling is actually used
The word is neutral in register. British spelling normally doubles the final l, whereas American spelling generally uses a single l. Its mechanical associations can make it mildly descriptive or colourful in casual use.