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swim¹ Definition

swim (swim)

intransitive verb swam, swum, swim·ming

  1. to move through water by movements of the arms and legs, or of flippers, fins, tail, etc.
  2. to move with a smooth, gliding motion, as though swimming
  3. to float on the surface of a liquid
  4. to be covered or saturated with or as with a liquid
  5. to overflow; be flooded eyes swimming with tears

Etymology: ME swimmen < OE swimman, akin to Ger schwimmen < IE base *swem-, to move vigorously, be in motion > Welsh chwyfio, to move

transitive verb

  1. to move in or across (a body of water) by swimming
  2. to cause to swim or float
  3. to perform (a specified stroke) in swimming

noun

  1. the act or motion of swimming
  2. a period of swimming for sport a short swim before lunch
  3. a distance swum or to be swum
  4. swim bladder

adjective

Informal of or for swimming swim trunks

swim¹ Related Forms
swim·mable adjective swim·mer noun
swim¹ Idioms

in the swim

conforming to the current fashions, or active in the main current of affairs

swim² Definition

swim (swim)

noun

the condition of being dizzy; dizzy spell

Etymology: ME swime < OE swima, akin to Du zwijmen, to faint < IE base *swei-, to bend, turn > swift

intransitive verb swam, swum, swim·ming

  1. to be dizzy the excitement made my head swim
  2. to have a hazy, reeling, or whirling appearance the room swam before me

swim Synonyms

swim

n.

bath, dip, plunge, swimming race, aquatic contest, dive, jump, splash.

swim Synonyms

swim

v.

slip, bathe, float, glide, slip through the water, move, stroke, paddle, go swimming, go for a swim, take a dip, do aquatic stunts, train for the swimming team, swim freestyle, swim the breast stroke, swim the Australian crawl, etc.; see also swimming, race 2.

swim Usage Examples

Object

  • pool: The fabulous, crystal clear, swimming pool is perfect for the whole family.
  • throughs: The south side of this small island offers divers the opportunity to swim along cliff faces, through caves, and swim throughs.
  • meter: You just need to be able to swim 150 meters in light clothing.
  • gala: Also Swimming Bath car-park available on match days when there are no swimming galas.
  • trunk: Its skipper, James Kirk, clad only in swim trunks, slouched lazily at the stern, one hand on the tiller.
  • backstroke: The first painting I remember making was of a Hawaiian lady swimming the backstroke under a palm tree.

Preposition: against

  • tide: He has kept the SLA afloat, swimming against a tide of apathy.

Adjective complement

  • underwater: This is followed by a session in the pool experiencing the thrill of swimming underwater wearing full scuba equipment.
  • naked: Don't swim naked in the Palm House Pond - it's freezing cold.

Noun used with modifier

  • lily: Generally the margins appear to be fishing best although the lilies swims and pole line are also producing well.
  • tench: However it was very busy and all the 'known ' tench swims were taken.

Infinitive complement

  • shore: On the very next cruise the female was sighted swimming to shore with a lump sucker fish.

Preposition: in

  • thing--and: I must know whether I can swim in this thing--and whether I can sing while swimming about.
  • pool: Guests can also swim in river pools nearby, or on the beach at Porto, only 45 minutes ' drive away.
  • sea: Have you ever seen ducks swimming in the sea?
  • lake: Birds are meant to be roaming free, flying or swimming in the lake.

Preposition: with

  • dolphin: At only 18 I've managed to accomplish #1: Swim with dolphins #9: Go on safari #22: Bathing an elephant.
  • shark: Blue Planet Aquarium - Cheshire Not far from BSAC headquarters is the only aquarium in England which allows divers to swim with sharks.

Followed by an intransitive particle

  • across: Your first introduction to the day is a small traverse, a jump in to the river and swim across to the far side.
  • around: There were two of them, by the culvert entrance, swimming around.
swim Quotes

   I would sooner swim to the Bermudas on Two politicians'rotten bladders, tied Together with an intelligencer's heartstring, Than depend on so changeable a prince's favour.

—Webster,John

Browse dictionary entries near swim

  1. swill
  2. swig
  3. swiftness
  4. swiftly
  5. Swiftian
  6. swifter
  7. swift-footed
  8. swift
  9. swidden
  10. SWG
  1. swim bladder
  2. swim fin
  3. swimmeret
  4. swimming
  5. swimming hole
  6. swimming pool
  7. swimmingly
  8. swimsuit
  9. swimwear
  10. Swinburne