/ swɪm; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb ( swim·ming , swam / swæm; NAmE / swum / swʌm; NAmE /)
1.
( of a person ) to move through water in a horizontal position using the arms and legs :
[ v ]
I can't swim.
The boys swam across the lake.
They spent the day swimming and sunbathing.
[ vn ]
Can you swim backstroke yet?
How long will it take her to swim the Channel?
➡ note at bath
2.
[ v ] go swimming to spend time swimming for pleasure :
I go swimming twice a week.
3.
[ v , usually + adv. / prep. ] ( of a fish, etc. ) to move through or across water :
A shoal of fish swam past.
Ducks were swimming around on the river.
4.
[ v ] (usually be swimming ) swim (in / with sth) to be covered with a lot of liquid :
The main course was swimming in oil.
Her eyes were swimming with tears.
5.
[ v ] ( of objects, etc. ) to seem to be moving around, especially when you are ill / sick or drunk :
The pages swam before her eyes.
6.
[ v ] to feel confused and/or as if everything is spinning around :
His head swam and he swayed dizzily.
•
IDIOMS
see sink verb
■ noun
[ sing. ] a period of time during which you swim :
Let's go for a swim .
•
IDIOMS
- in the swim (of things)
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English swimman (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch zwemmen and German schwimmen .