swim
gb/swˈɪm/ us/swˈɪm/
A1
English
~ 3000
úszik, úszóversenyen indul, úszásban versenyez, szédül, forog vele a világ, táncol a szeme előtt, úszás
VERB
A1
1
úszik
A1
Usage pattern:
to swim [somewhere]
She can swim across the lake in under ten minutes.
Tíz percnél rövidebb idő alatt át tudja úszni a tavat.
We swam in the ocean until sunset.
Naplementéig úsztunk az óceánban.
He learned to swim when he was five years old.
They swam together in the hotel pool.
I try to swim twice a week for exercise.
Learner examples
I can swim in the sea.
Tudok úszni a tengerben.
He swims in the pool every day.
Mindennap úszik a medencében.
We swim together on Sunday.
My sister can swim very fast.
Do you like to swim?
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'swim' with 'float'. 'Swim' means actively moving in water, while 'float' means staying on top of the water without moving much.
Meaning
move through water using body
Collocations
swim across
|swim underwater
|swim a lap
|swim in the pool
|learn to swim
Synonyms
paddle (Implies a simpler or less skilled swimming movement, often for short distances.)
Antonyms
sink (Describes going down under the surface of water without staying afloat.)
Themes
sports
|daily life
|health
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To move in water by using your arms and legs.
To move through water by making movements with the arms, legs, or body.
VERB
A2
2
Usage pattern:
to swim [a race/event]
She will swim in three events at the championship.
A bajnokságon három számban fog indulni.
He swam the 200-meter freestyle yesterday.
Tegnap a 200 méteres gyorsúszásban indult.
They are training to swim for their country at the Olympics.
Learner examples
I will swim in the race tomorrow.
Holnap úszóversenyen indulok.
She swam for her school team.
Az iskolai úszócsapat tagjaként versenyzett.
He wants to swim in the Olympics.
Meaning
compete in swimming sport
Collocations
swim the 100 meters
|swim for the team
|swim in the finals
Synonyms
compete (General term for taking part in a contest; 'swim' specifies swimming as the contest.)
Themes
sports
Definition
To be in a race where you swim.
To take part in a race or event involving swimming.
VERB
B1
3
úszik
B2
Usage pattern:
to be swimming in [something]
After running, he was swimming in sweat.
Futás után úszott az izzadságban.
The company is swimming in debt.
A vállalat úszik az adósságban.
They were swimming in paperwork after the audit.
Learner examples
I was swimming in sweat after the game.
A meccs után úsztam az izzadságban.
She is swimming in work today.
Ma úszik a munkában.
We are swimming in dirty dishes.
Meaning
be full of liquid or substance
Collocations
swimming in sweat
|swimming in money
|swimming in paperwork
Synonyms
drenched (Specifically means soaked with liquid; 'swimming' can be broader and figurative.)
Themes
daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To have too much liquid or another thing around or on something.
To be covered or filled with a large amount of liquid or another substance, often used figuratively.
VERB
B2
4
Usage pattern:
to swim before [someone's] eyes
Her head swam after she stood up too quickly.
Megszédült, miután túl gyorsan állt fel.
The words swam before his eyes as he tried to read.
A szavak táncoltak a szeme előtt, miközben olvasni próbált.
He felt his surroundings swim around him.
Learner examples
My head swims when I stand up fast.
Szédülök, ha gyorsan állok fel.
The room swims when I am sick.
Amikor beteg vagyok, forog velem a szoba.
His eyes swim when he is tired.
Meaning
vision blurred by dizziness
Collocations
head swims
|room swimming
Synonyms
spin (Focuses on the sensation of rotation; 'swim' can also imply blurriness without clear rotation.)
Themes
health
|body
Definition
When things look like they are moving because you feel dizzy or sick.
To appear to move or spin before one's eyes, typically due to dizziness, illness, or confusion.
NOUN
A2
5
úszás
A1
We went for a swim before breakfast.
Reggeli előtt elmentünk úszni.
She took a quick swim in the lake.
Úszott egy gyorsat a tóban.
He enjoys an early morning swim.
Learner examples
I go for a swim every day.
Mindennap elmegyek úszni.
She likes a swim after work.
Szeret munka után úszni egyet.
We had a swim in the pool.
Meaning
period spent swimming
Collocations
go for a swim
|take a swim
Synonyms
dip (A short or casual swim, often quick and refreshing.)
Themes
sports
|daily life
|health
Definition
A time when you swim for fun, sport, or exercise.
An occasion of moving through water for exercise, sport, or leisure.
Grammar
Dictionary form
swim
IPA
GB/swˈɪm/
US/swˈɪm/
Syllables & stress
swim (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (swim)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: swim
- Plural: swims
Verb
- Base: swim
- 3rd Person Singular: swims
- Present Participle: swimming
- Past: swam
- Past Participle: swum
Word family
Forms
swims
noun
swimming
verb
swam
verb
swum
verb
Core family
swimmer
noun A2
Related words
swimsuit
noun A2
Advanced or less common
swimmable
adjective
swimwear
noun
Highlights
- Irregular present participle: swimming Verb
- Irregular past: swam Verb
- Irregular past participle: swum Verb
Expressions
go for a swim
1/ɡˈoʊ fɚ ə swˈɪm/
fixed phrase
go somewhere to swim for fun/exercise
To go and spend some time swimming for fun or exercise.
Examples
- Let's go for a swim before lunch.
- They went for a swim in the ocean.
head swims
1/hˈɛd swˈɪmz/
fixed phrase
feel dizzy or confused mentally/physically
To feel dizzy or confused so that it is hard to think clearly.
Examples
- Her head swims when she stands up quickly.
- The amount of information made my head swim.
sink or swim
1/sˈɪŋk ˈɔɹ swˈɪm/
idiom
succeed or fail without help
To either succeed or fail by your own work, without help from others.
Examples
- In this job, it's sink or swim from day one.
- They gave me no training—it was sink or swim.
swimming in money
1/swˈɪmɪŋ ˈɪn mˈʌni/
idiom
informal
have a huge amount of money
To have so much money that you have more than you need.
Examples
- After selling his company, he's swimming in money.
- They must be swimming in money to afford that house.