# swam

/ˈswæm/ (US) · /swˈæm/ (UK) · CEFR A2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/swam
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

the past tense of 'swim'. You use this when you moved through water in the past.

For teachers: the past tense of 'swim'. Refers to the action of propelling oneself through water using limbs or fins.

## Examples

- I swam across the pool this morning.
- During our summer holiday, we swam in the lake every single day before breakfast.
- The athlete swam with such efficiency and grace that she broke the regional record by nearly three seconds, despite the choppy conditions of the open water.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I have swam" but "I have swum" — Learners often confuse the past tense 'swam' with the past participle 'swum' when using the present perfect.

## Usage notes

- The past tense form of the irregular verb 'swim'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.