English Reference

Word

cram

US/ˈkɹæm/

UK/kɹˈæm/

Definitions

01to stuff or push into

B2

v. to push or force too many things into a space that is too small.

v. to force, press, or pack something into a confined space until it is full to capacity.

“He tried to cram all his clothes into one small suitcase for the trip.”

“The commuters attempted to cram themselves into the overcrowded train carriage, ignoring the warnings from the platform staff.”

Usage

Often used with the preposition 'into'.

Synonyms

Antonyms

02to study intensely

B2

v. to study a lot of information in a very short time, usually just before a test.

v. to engage in intensive, concentrated study or memorization over a short period, typically in immediate preparation for an examination.

“I had to stay up all night to cram for my history exam.”

“Medical students often spend the final week before boards attempting to cram vast amounts of anatomical data into their long-term memory.”

Informal

Usage

Commonly used as an intransitive verb followed by 'for'.

Synonyms

swotgrind

03to overeat

C1

v. to eat a large amount of food until you are completely full.

v. to consume food greedily or to the point of satiety.

“The children continued to cram sweets into their mouths throughout the party.”

“After the long hike, the group proceeded to cram themselves with every dish the local tavern had to offer.”

Informal

Synonyms

Antonyms

04a crowded state

C2

n. a situation where there are too many people or things in one place.

n. a state of being packed or crowded together; a crush of people.

“It was a real cram in the hallway during the break between classes.”

“The narrow streets of the old city were a constant cram of merchants, tourists, and stray animals.”

Literary

Synonyms

Real-World Examples

“Some were crammed into the back of ancient farm vehicles drawn by donkeys.”
BBC News · 27 Aug 2026

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/cram

English Reference