[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/switch/)

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# switch

noun (a switch, switches); verb (switch, switches, switched, switching)

«switch» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A switch is a small button or lever that turns a light or a machine on or off. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/switch/#m1)
2. To switch is to change one thing for another, or to swap. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/switch/#m2)
3. To switch on or switch off is to start or stop a light or machine. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/switch/#m3)
4. A switch is a sudden change, like a switch from rain to sun. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/switch/#m4)
5. A switch is also a thin, bendy stick or twig, and to switch someone is to hit them with one. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/switch/#m5)

### In the lessons

switches on a wall are counted; to switch is to change places or to swap things, so amounts move between people; in everyday life and safety: switch off lights to save energy, never touch a switch with wet hands; in science a switch opens or closes an electric circuit; phrases: «switch on», «switch off», «switch places», «switch sides»

### Examples

- Each room has 2 light switches. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/switch/#x1)
- They switch seats. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/switch/#x2)
- Tom switches 3 of his cards for 3 of Ben's. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/switch/#x3)
- She switches the lamp off. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/switch/#x4)
- Please switch off the lights when you leave the room. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/switch/#x5)
- In the circuit, the bulb lights up when the switch is closed. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/switch/#x6)
- The team switched sides at half-time. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/switch/#x7)
- Dry your hands before you touch a switch. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/switch/#x8)
- He switched from football to swimming this year. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/switch/#x9)
- Aboo!” and at the same time he switched the naked baby with a thorny wild-rose bush. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/switch/#x10)

### Note

A swap of equal numbers keeps each total the same. Trap: switching places changes positions, not how many. Plural: switches. In science: a closed switch lets the current flow (bulb on); an open switch stops it. «Switch on/off» = «turn on/off».

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «switch» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/switch/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«switch» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/switch.html) on Mova free.