# swimmer

/ˈswɪmɝ/ (US) · /swˈɪmɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/swimmer
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. person who swims

noun · CEFR A2

a person who swims, especially for exercise or in a race.

For teachers: a person who swims, whether for recreation, fitness, or competitive sport.

- The lifeguard watched the young swimmer carefully as she moved toward the deep end.
- Olympic swimmers often spend several hours in the pool each day to refine their technique and build endurance.

### 2. sperm

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Humorous

a casual or funny way to talk about sperm.

For teachers: a colloquial reference to spermatozoa, typically used in the plural.

- The doctor checked his swimmers to see if he could have children.
- The fertility specialist explained that the count and motility of the swimmers were within the normal range.

Usage: Usually used in the plural form.

Teaching tip: This is a common euphemism in casual conversations about fertility, but it is not appropriate for formal medical reports.

### 3. a type of dumpling

noun · CEFR C2 · British English · Dialect

a traditional boiled dumpling from the Norfolk area of England.

For teachers: a traditional Norfolk dumpling made from bread dough and boiled.

- My grandmother always served beef stew with fluffy swimmers on top.
- The local pub is famous for its traditional Norfolk swimmers, served alongside a rich vegetable broth.

Teaching tip: This is a very specific regional term from East Anglia; most English speakers outside that area will not know this meaning.

## Examples

- She is a very fast swimmer.
- The lifeguard watched every swimmer in the pool to make sure everyone stayed safe.
- Even an experienced swimmer can find the powerful currents of the open ocean difficult to navigate without proper training and local knowledge.

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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.