What is swim? How to use in English

Definition & pronunciation of swim

swimverb
bơi lội
/swɪm/

Definition & pronunciation of <b>swim</b>

Where does the word swim come from?

The word "swim" has a fascinating history. The Old English word "swimmian" is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "*swimiz," which is related to the Proto-Indo-European root "*swe-" meaning "to struggle" or "to move quickly." The verb "swim" initially meant "to struggle or strive" or "to make an effort," and only later came to specifically connote moving through water. This sense of struggle or effort is still present in modern words like "wrestle" and "struggle." Over time, the word "swim" evolved to encompass the idea of movement through a fluid medium, whether it be water, air, or even abstract concepts. Today, we use the word "swim" to describe a wide range of actions, from effortlessly gliding through the water to battling against currents and tides.

Vocabulary summary swim

type noun

meaning swimming

example to swim a river

example to swim a race

example to swim across the river

meaning deep pool with many fish (in river)

example to swim someone a hundred metres

meaning general situation, general trend

example to swim a horse across a stream

example to be out of the swim

example to put somebody in the swim

type intransitive verb swam; swum

meaning swim

example to swim a river

example to swim a race

example to swim across the river

meaning floating

example to swim someone a hundred metres

meaning quick browse

example to swim a horse across a stream

example to be out of the swim

example to put somebody in the swim

Example of vocabulary swimnamespace

to move through water by moving your arms and legs, without touching the bottom

I can't swim.
The boys swam across the lake.
We swam out (= away from land) to the yacht.
They spent the day swimming and sunbathing.
I've only just learned to swim.

to spend time swimming for pleasure

I go swimming twice a week.
We always went swimming together in our indoor pool.

to move through or across water

Sharks must swim or die.
A shoal of fish swam past.
Ducks were swimming around on the river.
A beaver swam vigorously upstream.

to be covered with a lot of liquid

The main course was swimming in oil.
Her eyes were swimming with tears.

to seem to be moving around, especially when you are ill or drunk

The pages swam before her eyes.

to feel confused and/or as if everything is turning round and round

His head swam and he swayed dizzily.

Synonyms and related words for swim

Idioms of vocabulary swim

sink or swim

to be in a situation where you will either succeed by your own efforts or fail completely

The new students were just left to sink or swim.
In a situation like this, you either sink or swim.

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