swapping

swapping — verb

  • swappingpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • swappings3rd person singular
  • swappinging-ing form
  • swappingedpast simple

1. to give one thing to someone and receive a different thing from them at the same

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveB1
Definition

to give one thing to someone and receive a different thing from them at the same time, often in a casual or informal way

Example

Gabriel swapped his ham sandwich for Lotte's egg salad at lunch.

swap + noun + for + noun

The two bus drivers swapped routes so each could finish closer to home.

swap + noun (direct object)

Common collocations
  • swap places
  • swap seats
  • swap shifts
  • swap stories
  • swap for
  • swap with
Synonyms
  • exchange

    more formal; can refer to a wider range of transactions including money

  • trade

    suggests a deliberate, often mutually beneficial exchange

  • barter

    exchange of goods without using money; less common in everyday speech

Antonyms
  • keep

    to retain something instead of giving it away

Grammar Patterns

swap + noun + for + noun

swap + noun + with + someone

swap + with + someone

swap + noun

Usage Note

Commonly used with 'for' to indicate the thing received and with 'with' to indicate the exchange partner. When the objects are plural, the verb can be used intransitively: 'Let's swap!'

Common Mistakes

I swapped my book to my friend.
I swapped books with my friend.
Use 'with' for the exchange partner, not 'to'.

swapping — noun

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

'Swap' is the most casual and direct word for giving one thing and receiving another at the same time. 'Exchange' is more formal and can cover any kind of reciprocal giving, including buying and selling. 'Trade' falls between the two — it is common in everyday speech and often implies a deliberate, mutually beneficial arrangement. 'Switch' focuses on replacing one thing with another, often without a formal two-way transaction ('He switched his phone for a newer model'). 'Barter' is a specialised term for exchanging goods without using money, more common in historical or economic contexts. For everyday situations like swapping lunch items, seats, or shifts, 'swap' is the most natural choice.

exchange ↗trade ↗switch ↗barter ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • swap places
  • swap seats
  • swap shifts
  • swap stories
  • swap ideas
  • swap tips
  • swap numbers
  • swap notes

Adverbs

  • simply swap
  • quickly swap
  • easily swap

Phrases

  • a fair swap
  • a straight swap
  • in swap for
  • do a swap
  • make a swap

Prepositions

  • swap for
  • swap with

Etymology

Middle EnglishOld EnglishEnglish

The word 'swap' first appeared in English around the 1300s, originally meaning 'to strike' or 'to hit'. By the 1500s it had developed the sense of 'to exchange by striking hands as a sign of agreement', similar to shaking hands on a deal. The modern meaning of exchanging one item for another emerged naturally from this tradition of concluding a trade with a handshake. The -ing form 'swapping' came into use as both a verbal noun and a present participle.

First known use

14th century

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a Noun