# swamp

/ˈswɑmp/ (US) · /swˈɒmp/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/swamp
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. wetland

noun · CEFR B2

an area of very wet, soft land where many trees and plants grow.

For teachers: an area of low-lying, uncultivated ground where water collects; specifically a forested wetland as opposed to a marsh.

- The hikers had to be careful not to get their boots stuck in the muddy swamp.
- The coastal swamp provides a vital habitat for various reptile species, though its dense vegetation makes it nearly impassable for humans.

### 2. political corruption

noun · CEFR C1 · American English · Informal

a word used to describe a government system that is seen as dishonest or slow.

For teachers: a metaphorical term for entrenched bureaucracy, cronyism, or perceived corruption within a capital city's political establishment.

- The candidate promised to clean up the swamp in the capital if he won the election.
- Populist rhetoric often employs the image of a swamp to characterise the federal government as a stagnant pool of self-serving interests.

Teaching tip: This sense is highly politically charged and often used as a slogan; learners should be aware of its partisan connotations in American discourse.

### 3. to overwhelm

verb · CEFR B2

to give someone so much work or information that they cannot deal with it all.

For teachers: to overwhelm or submerge someone with an excessive amount of something, such as tasks or enquiries.

- The small shop was swamped with orders after their product went viral online.
- The customer service department was completely swamped by complaints following the unexpected server outage on Tuesday morning.

Usage: Commonly used in the passive voice: 'to be swamped with' or 'to be swamped by'.

## Examples

- The hikers had to walk around the swamp to stay dry.
- The candidate promised to drain the political swamp and remove corrupt officials from the government.
- While the literal swamp provides a vital ecosystem for local wildlife, the term has been repurposed by populist orators to characterise the federal bureaucracy as a stagnant and self-serving entity.

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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.