swimming: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
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Quick answer
What does “swimming” mean?
The act, sport, or skill of propelling oneself through water using the limbs.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act, sport, or skill of propelling oneself through water using the limbs.
A state of dizziness or disorientation where one's surroundings seem to move or spin; also used figuratively to describe something being flooded or oversupplied.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. Spelling of related compounds: BrE: 'swimming costume', 'swimming bath'. AmE: 'swimming suit', 'swimming pool' or just 'pool'. The verb 'to bathe' is sometimes used in BrE where AmE uses 'to swim' recreationally.
Connotations
In AmE, 'swimming' is the default term for the recreational activity. In some BrE contexts, especially among older speakers, 'bathing' or 'having a swim' might be used.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both dialects for the core sense.
Grammar
How to Use “swimming” in a Sentence
go V-ing (go swimming)do [some] V-ing (do some swimming)be V-ing (be swimming)V-ing in (swimming in the sea)V-ing for (swimming for the team)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “swimming” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He was swimming in the lido.
- We usually go swimming on holiday.
American English
- She's swimming laps at the pool.
- They love swimming in the lake.
adverb
British English
- (Rare as pure adverb) He left the room swimmingly.
American English
- (Rare as pure adverb) The meeting went swimmingly.
adjective
British English
- She bought a new swimming costume.
- The swimming lesson was cancelled.
American English
- He forgot his swimming trunks.
- The swimming team won the state finals.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Figurative: 'The company was swimming in debt.'
Academic
Used in sports science, physiology (e.g., 'the biomechanics of swimming').
Everyday
Discussing leisure activities, health, and fitness.
Technical
In engineering/fluid dynamics: 'swimming motion' of microorganisms or robots.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “swimming”
- Incorrect spelling: 'swiming' (missing the doubled M). Incorrect article use: 'I go to swimming' (omit 'to': 'I go swimming'). Confusing 'swimming' (activity) with 'pool' (location).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is primarily the '-ing' form (gerund/participle) of the verb 'swim', which functions as a verbal noun. It can be used as a noun (e.g., 'Swimming is fun') and an adjective (e.g., 'swimming pool').
The standard, natural construction is 'go swimming'. 'Go to swim' is grammatically possible but uncommon and sounds non-native.
Swimming is the controlled, intentional act of moving through water. Drowning is the process of experiencing respiratory impairment from submersion/immersion in liquid, typically leading to death unless rescued.
It follows the spelling rule for verbs ending in a single consonant preceded by a single vowel (swim -> swim/m/ing). The stress remains on the first syllable, so the consonant is doubled to preserve the short vowel sound (/ɪ/).
The act, sport, or skill of propelling oneself through water using the limbs.
Swimming is usually neutral in register.
Swimming: in British English it is pronounced /ˈswɪmɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈswɪmɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “sink or swim”
- “swimming in money”
- “like swimming through treacle/molasses”
- “out of one's depth”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SWIMMING has two M's, like two legs kicking in the water.
Conceptual Metaphor
OVERWHELMING AMOUNTS ARE FLOODS (e.g., swimming in work). DIFFICULT SITUATIONS ARE TREACHEROUS WATERS (e.g., swimming with sharks).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT a common collocation with 'swimming'?