swap

swap — verb

1. to exchange one thing for another by giving what you have and receiving somethin

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveB1
Definition

to exchange one thing for another by giving what you have and receiving something different in return, often at the same time and by mutual agreement.

Example

Felipe swapped his sandwich for Putri's salad at lunch.

swap + object + for + object

Do you want to swap seats so you can see the stage better?

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

    more formal; swap is less formal and more conversational

  • trade

    similar in informal use; 'trade' can also imply bargaining, while 'swap' is simply mutual giving

  • switch

    often used for positions or roles rather than objects

Antonyms
  • keep

    to not give away or exchange something

Grammar Patterns

swap + object (+ for/with + noun phrase)

swap + with + someone

Usage Note

Commonly used with 'for' to state what is received ('swap A for B') and with 'with' to identify the other person ('swap something with someone'). May also be used intransitively: 'Let's swap.'

Common Mistakes

I swapped my phone for my sister.
I swapped phones with my sister.
When referring to people, use 'with' and often make the object reciprocal (plural).

2. to take turns telling each other something, such as stories, jokes, or personal

2.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to take turns telling each other something, such as stories, jokes, or personal experiences.

Example

The children swapped ghost stories around the campfire until midnight.

swap + stories (reciprocal)

Camila and Adina swapped travel tips while waiting for their flight.

Common collocations
  • swap stories
  • swap jokes
  • swap gossip
  • swap recipes
  • swap tips
  • swap memories
Synonyms
  • exchange

    slightly more formal; 'exchange stories' works but sounds less natural in casual speech

  • share

    broader — sharing does not require reciprocity; swapping implies each person gives and receives equally

Grammar Patterns

swap + plural object (stories, jokes, etc.)

Usage Note

Only used with nouns describing shared verbal exchange — stories, jokes, gossip, recipes, tips, memories. The object is almost always plural or uncountable because it implies mutual sharing.

Common Mistakes

Emma swapped a story with Ada.
Emma and Ada swapped stories.
The reciprocal meaning requires a plural object or 'with' structure.
Phrasal verbs

swap out

phrasal verb

to remove one thing and replace it with another, especially a component or part of a system.

Christopher swapped out the old hard drive for a faster solid-state one.

The kitchen staff swapped out the summer menu for autumn dishes overnight.

swap over

phrasal verb

to change the position or role of two people or things so each takes the other's place.

Putri and her sister swapped over so Putri could sit by the window.

The two goalkeepers swapped over halfway through the training session.

Idioms

swap places with someone

idiom

to imagine being in another person's situation, especially because their life seems better or easier than yours.

After a long day of meetings, Élise said she would not swap places with the CEO for anything.

Imani looked at the surfers on the beach and wished she could swap places with them.

change/swap places (with somebody)

idiom

To take the same position or situation as another person.

After hearing her story, I wouldn't change places with her.

Would you swap places with a famous movie star?

swap/change places (with somebody)

idiom

To take the same position or situation as another person.

Min said she would never swap places with her boss.

Do you think Sara would change places with you?

swap — noun

Word family

  • swapping
    nounB2
  • swapper
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four words involve giving or receiving something in return. 'Swap' is the most informal and conversational — it describes a direct, mutual exchange between two people where each gives and receives simultaneously, with no money necessarily involved. 'Exchange' is the formal equivalent and works in many contexts ('exchange rings', 'exchange contracts'). 'Trade' often implies bargaining or a commercial context ('trade in your car'), but can overlap with swap in casual use ('trade stickers'). 'Switch' focuses on changing positions or roles rather than objects ('switch seats'). 'Barter' is the most specific — it means exchanging goods or services without using money, typically in a system or economy where currency is not used. For everyday giving-and-receiving, 'swap' is the most natural choice: 'Let's swap phones for a day' sounds natural, while 'Let's barter phones' sounds odd.

exchange ↗trade ↗switch ↗barter

Common collocations

Nouns

  • places
  • seats
  • roles
  • ideas
  • numbers
  • details

Adverbs

Phrases

  • in exchange for
  • as a swap

Prepositions

Etymology

Middle EnglishEnglish

The word 'swap' originally meant 'to strike' in Middle English (from swappen). The exchange meaning developed from the old practice of striking hands together to seal a bargain — the physical gesture of a handshake confirming a deal became the word for the deal itself. By the 14th century it had shifted to mean 'to exchange', and it has stayed in everyday use ever since.