swim
UK: swɪm | US: swɪm
vi. to move through water using bodily movements (e.g., arms, legs)
vt. to traverse or cover by swimming (e.g., swim a river)
n. an act or period of swimming
The word "swim" traces back to Old English swimman, meaning "to move in water." It shares roots with Germanic languages (e.g., Dutch zwemmen, German schwimmen). Unlike compound words, "swim" evolved as a single, indivisible unit from Proto-Germanic swimjaną, reflecting a core action tied to aquatic motion. Its simplicity and ancient lineage classify it as a non-splittable, foundational verb.
She loves to swim in the ocean every morning.
He swam across the lake in under an hour.
The children are learning how to swim at summer camp.
Dolphins swim gracefully through the waves.
They decided to swim laps for exercise.