swim

Universal Words verb, noun verb (swimming, swam ) 1 (of a person) to move through water in a horizontal position using the arms and legs: [V] I can't swim. * The boys swam across the lake. * We swam out (= away from the shore) to the yacht. * They spent the day swimming and sunbathing. * [VN] Can you swim backstroke yet? * How long will it take her to swim the Channel? -< BATH 2 [V] (go swimming) to spend time swimming for pleasure: I go swimming twice a week. 3 [V] [usually +adv./prep.] (of a fish, etc.) to move through or across water: A shoal of fish swam past. * Ducks were swimming around on the river. 4 [V] (usually be swimming) ~ (in / with sth) to be covered with a lot of liquid: The main course was swimming in oil. * Her eyes were swimming with tears. 5 [V] (of objects, etc.) to seem to be moving around, especially when you are ill/sick or drunk: The pages swam before her eyes. 6 [V] to feel confused and/or as if everything is spinning around: His head swam and he swayed dizzily. IDIOMS see SINKv. noun [sing.] a period of time during which you swim: Let's go for a swim. IDIOMS in the swim (of things) (informal) involved in things that are happening in society or in a particular situation: Since leaving the company, he's no longer in the swim of things.