Definition of the word swim

Pronunciation of vocabulary swim

swimverb

bơi lội

/swɪm/

Definition of the word <b>swim</b>

Origin of the word swim

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

typenoun

meaningswimming

exampleto swim a river

exampleto swim a race

exampleto swim across the river

meaningdeep pool with many fish (in river)

exampleto swim someone a hundred metres

meaninggeneral situation, general trend

exampleto swim a horse across a stream

exampleto be out of the swim

exampleto put somebody in the swim

typeintransitive verb swam; swum

meaningswim

exampleto swim a river

exampleto swim a race

exampleto swim across the river

meaningfloating

exampleto swim someone a hundred metres

meaningquick browse

exampleto swim a horse across a stream

exampleto be out of the swim

exampleto put somebody in the swim

Example of vocabulary swimnamespace

meaning

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

di chuyển trong nước bằng cách di chuyển tay và chân mà không chạm vào đáy

  • I can't swim.

    Tôi không biết bơi.

  • The boys swam across the lake.

    Các chàng trai bơi qua hồ.

  • We swam out (= away from land) to the yacht.

    Chúng tôi bơi ra (= cách xa đất liền) đến du thuyền.

  • They spent the day swimming and sunbathing.

    Họ dành cả ngày để bơi lội và tắm nắng.

  • I've only just learned to swim.

    Tôi vừa mới học bơi.

  • I have always found it easy to swim underwater.

    Tôi luôn thấy bơi dưới nước rất dễ dàng.

  • They are too far out to swim to shore.

    Chúng ở quá xa để có thể bơi vào bờ.

  • Can you swim backstroke yet?

    Bạn có thể bơi ngửa được chưa?

  • How long will it take her to swim the Channel?

    Cô ấy sẽ mất bao lâu để bơi qua eo biển?

Extra examples:
  • Exhausted, they swam ashore.

    Kiệt sức, họ bơi vào bờ.

  • He can't swim well.

    Anh ấy không thể bơi giỏi.

  • to swim in the sea

    bơi ở biển

meaning

to spend time swimming for pleasure

dành thời gian bơi lội cho vui

  • I go swimming twice a week.

    Tôi đi bơi hai lần một tuần.

  • We always went swimming together in our indoor pool.

    Chúng tôi luôn đi bơi cùng nhau ở bể bơi trong nhà.

meaning

to move through or across water

để di chuyển qua hoặc trên nước

  • Sharks must swim or die.

    Cá mập phải bơi hoặc chết.

  • A shoal of fish swam past.

    Một đàn cá bơi qua.

  • Ducks were swimming around on the river.

    Đàn vịt bơi lội tung tăng trên sông.

  • A beaver swam vigorously upstream.

    Một con hải ly bơi mạnh mẽ ngược dòng.

meaning

to be covered with a lot of liquid

được bao phủ bởi rất nhiều chất lỏng

  • The main course was swimming in oil.

    Món chính là bơi trong dầu.

  • Her eyes were swimming with tears.

    Đôi mắt cô ấy đang ngân ngấn nước.

meaning

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

dường như đang di chuyển xung quanh, đặc biệt là khi bạn bị ốm hoặc say rượu

  • The pages swam before her eyes.

    Những trang giấy trôi qua trước mắt cô.

meaning

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

cảm thấy bối rối và/hoặc như thể mọi thứ đang quay vòng

  • His head swam and he swayed dizzily.

    Đầu anh quay cuồng và anh lắc lư một cách chóng mặt.

Words, synonyms, related vocabulary 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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