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synchronized swimming

C1
UK/ˌsɪŋ.krə.naɪzd ˈswɪm.ɪŋ/US/ˈsɪŋ.krə.naɪzd ˈswɪm.ɪŋ/

Formal, Technical, Sports

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Definition

Meaning

An aquatic sport in which swimmers perform coordinated, synchronized movements and routines in water to music.

The act or discipline of performing choreographed movements in water as a team; can metaphorically describe any highly coordinated group activity requiring precise timing.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

Primarily refers to the Olympic sport. The term 'artistic swimming' is now the official name used by FINA (World Aquatics) and the Olympics, though 'synchronized swimming' remains widely recognized and used.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant difference in meaning. British usage was slower to adopt the name change to 'artistic swimming' than some other nations, but both terms are understood.

Connotations

Carries connotations of grace, athleticism, and teamwork. The shift to 'artistic swimming' aims to emphasize the artistic and athletic components over just synchronization.

Frequency

The phrase 'synchronized swimming' remains very common in general use, though official sports bodies use 'artistic swimming'.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
Olympic synchronized swimmingsynchronized swimming teamsynchronized swimming routinenational synchronized swimming champion
medium
perform synchronized swimmingpractice synchronized swimmingcompete in synchronized swimmingsynchronized swimming competition
weak
graceful synchronized swimmingunderwater synchronized swimmingcomplex synchronized swimmingmusic for synchronized swimming

Grammar

Valency Patterns

[verb] + synchronized swimming (e.g., watch, practice, compete in)[adjective] + synchronized swimming (e.g., Olympic, competitive, graceful)

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

water ballet (dated/alternative name)

Neutral

artistic swimming

Weak

synchronised aquaticschoreographed swimming

Vocabulary

Antonyms

freestyle swimmingindividual medleyunstructured swimming

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “[Not highly idiomatic for this specific term]”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Used metaphorically: 'The project launch required the synchronized swimming of all departments.'

Academic

Used in sports science, kinesiology, and performance studies.

Everyday

Discussing the Olympics or water sports.

Technical

Official term within aquatic sports governance and coaching.

Examples

By Part of Speech

verb

British English

  • The team will be synchronised swimming at the national finals.
  • She has synchronised swum for a decade.

American English

  • The team will be synchronized swimming at the national finals.
  • She has synchronized swum for a decade.

adverb

British English

  • [Not standard usage for this noun phrase]

American English

  • [Not standard usage for this noun phrase]

adjective

British English

  • She is a synchronised swimming champion.
  • The synchronised swimming event was spectacular.

American English

  • She is a synchronized swimming champion.
  • The synchronized swimming event was spectacular.

Examples

By CEFR Level

A2
  • We watched synchronized swimming on TV.
  • The swimmers move together.
B1
  • Synchronized swimming is a difficult sport that combines swimming, dance, and gymnastics.
  • The Russian team won the gold medal in synchronized swimming.
B2
  • Despite its graceful appearance, synchronized swimming demands immense strength, flexibility, and breath control.
  • The intricate routine, performed in perfect synchronization, earned them top marks from the judges.
C1
  • The governing body's rebranding of synchronized swimming as 'artistic swimming' aims to refocus perception on its athletic and expressive merits.
  • Their performance transcended technical precision, achieving a level of artistic interpretation rarely seen in the sport.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of 'sync' (like synchronizing watches) + 'swimming' = swimming in perfect sync with others.

Conceptual Metaphor

HUMAN ACTIVITY AS A PRECISE MECHANISM (a team operating like a perfectly timed machine)

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

  • Прямой перевод 'синхронное плавание' является точным и корректным.

Common Mistakes

  • Misspelling as 'synchronised' (UK) vs. 'synchronized' (US) in appropriate contexts. Using it as a verb (e.g., 'They synchronized swimming' is incorrect).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
After the rule changes, the sport officially changed its name from to 'artistic swimming'.
Multiple Choice

What is a key physical challenge for synchronized swimmers not immediately obvious to viewers?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, but it is now officially called 'artistic swimming' in the Olympic program.

To better reflect the full scope of the sport, which includes artistic expression, choreography, and athleticism, not just synchronization.

Yes, men's participation has been growing. The first Olympic mixed duet event was introduced at the 2020 Tokyo Games.

Judges evaluate execution, difficulty, synchronization, artistic impression, and choreography.