— swimmable , adj. — swimmer , n.
/swim/ , v. , swam, swum, swimming , n.
v.i.
1. to move in water by movements of the limbs, fins, tail, etc.
2. to float on the surface of water or some other liquid.
3. to move, rest, or be suspended in air as if swimming in water.
4. to move, glide, or go smoothly over a surface.
5. to be immersed or steeped in or overflowing or flooded with a liquid: eyes swimming with tears.
6. to be dizzy or giddy; seem to whirl: My head began to swim.
v.t.
7. to move along in or cross (a body of water) by swimming: to swim a lake.
8. to perform (a particular stroke) in swimming: to swim a sidestroke.
9. to cause to swim or float, as on a stream.
10. to furnish with sufficient water to swim or float.
n.
11. an act, instance, or period of swimming.
12. a motion as of swimming; a smooth, gliding movement.
13. in the swim , alert to or actively engaged in events; in the thick of things: Despite her age, she is still in the swim.
[ bef. 900; ME swimmen, OE swimman; c. D zwemmen, G schwimmen, ON svimma ]