Swim

/swɪm/

Meaning & Definition

noun
an act of swimming
We went for a swim in the lake yesterday.
a pool or body of water where swimming occurs
The kids spent the afternoon at the swim.
verb
to move through water by using the arms and legs
I love to swim in the ocean during the summer.
to rest or move on the surface of a liquid
The ducks swim gracefully across the pond.
to be submerged in water; to float
He can swim underwater for a long time without coming up for air.

Etymology

Old English 'swimman', of Germanic origin.

Common Phrases and Expressions

swimming against the tide:
To oppose prevailing trends or attitudes.
swim with the current:
To go along with the flow or popular opinion.
sink or swim:
To either succeed or fail without help.
swimming in money:
To have a lot of money.
cross that bridge when you come to it:
To deal with a problem when it arises.

Related Words

Slang Meanings

To be overwhelmed or to struggle with a situation.
I'm really swimming with all this work!
To be intoxicated.
He was swimming after just a couple of drinks.