switch

B1 Topic:Tools, Machines & Construction

US /swɪt͡ʃ/ See IPA manual

Minimal pairs

Sounds like swish /tʃ/ vs /ʃ/

Freq #2060

Meanings

1

noun
A small device you press or move to turn electricity or a machine on and off.

I installed a switch to control the lights in the room.
2

verb
To change from one thing to another.

We switched to a different brand of coffee.
3

noun
The act of changing one thing for another.

The candidate's switch on the issue cost them the election.
4

verb
To exchange one thing or position for another.

I switched places with the next person in line.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Multiword verbs with switch

switch off Phrasal verb B1

to stop electrical equipment working by operating its switch
switch over Phrasal verb B1

to change from one system, arrangement, or source to another

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · a small device you press or... electric switch

2 verb · to change from one thing to... change shift

3 noun · the act of changing one... shiftswitching

4 verb · to exchange one thing or... exchange

More commutecounterchangereplace substitute swap transpose

Opposites

abide endure last remain stay

Word family

Forms switchedswitchesswitching

Derived forms antiswitchbait-and-switchcode-switchdipswitchfootswitchmicroswitchq-switchswitch-plantswitchbackswitchbladeswitchboardswitcheroo

Related forms reciprocate

Appears in

Phrases (4)

See all

ignition switch
a switch that activates the electrical system used to start an engine

Noun + noun
selector switch
a switch used to choose among several settings or alternatives

Noun + noun
switch off
to stop electrical equipment working by operating its switch

Verb + adverb
switch over
to change from one system, arrangement, or source to another

Verb + adverb

Etymology

Perhaps from Middle Dutch swijch (“twig”), first attested in c. 1592. The mechanical device for altering the direction of something sense is first attested in c. 1797, pertaining to pivoted rails on minecart railways, which were once wooden.

swijch Middle Dutch

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Tools, Machines & Construction

External links

# switch

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B1
**Part of speech:** noun, verb
**IPA (US):** /swɪt͡ʃ/
**Frequency rank:** 2060

## Meanings
1. A small device you press or move to turn electricity or a machine on and off.
2. To change from one thing to another.
3. The act of changing one thing for another.
4. To exchange one thing or position for another.

## Examples
- I installed a switch to control the lights in the room.
- We switched to a different brand of coffee.
- The candidate's switch on the issue cost them the election.
- I switched places with the next person in line.

## Synonyms
- commute
- counterchange
- exchange
- replace
- shift
- substitute
- swap
- transpose

## Antonyms
- abide
- endure
- last
- remain
- stay

## Derived Forms
- antiswitch
- bait-and-switch
- code-switch
- dipswitch
- footswitch
- microswitch
- q-switch
- switch-plant
- switchback
- switchblade
- switchboard
- switcheroo

## Related Forms
- reciprocate

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: swijch

## Etymology
Perhaps from Middle Dutch swijch (“twig”), first attested in c. 1592. The mechanical device for altering the direction of something sense is first attested in c. 1797, pertaining to pivoted rails on minecart railways, which were once wooden.

## AI Etymology
Switch is perhaps from Middle Dutch swijch (“twig”), first attested in c. 1592. The mechanical device for altering the direction of something sense is first attested in c. 1797, pertaining to pivoted rails on minecart railways, which were once wooden. In present-day use, it can mean a small device you press or move to turn electricity or a machine on and off, or to change from one thing to another.

## Topics
- Tools, Machines & Construction

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