What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
swivel
Example
The office chair has a swivel base that allows you to turn around easily. [swivel: noun]
Example
She swiveled her head to look at the clock on the wall. [swiveled: past tense verb]
spin
Example
The top spun around on the table. [spun: past tense verb]
Example
He spun the basketball on his finger. [spun: past participle verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Spin is more commonly used than swivel in everyday language. Spin is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while swivel is less common and often used in specific contexts such as furniture or machinery.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between swivel and spin?
Both swivel and spin are relatively informal words, but swivel may be slightly more formal due to its association with furniture and machinery.
