clam
4 synonyms and 0 antonyms for clam, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — An edible shellfish with two hinged shells, found buried in sand or mud.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use clam
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English clam ("bond, grip"), related to a word meaning to press or squeeze together — the shellfish sense comes from how tightly its shell clamps shut.
Full origin of clam →Frequently asked questions
What does “clam” mean?
The word “clam” means an edible shellfish with two hinged shells, found buried in sand or mud. In plain terms, a shellfish with a hinged shell — or, informally, a dollar, or (as "clam up") to suddenly stop talking.
How do you pronounce “clam”?
“Clam” is pronounced klam (/klæm/ in IPA).
How do you use “clam” in a sentence?
Here is “clam” used in a sentence: “We dug for clams along the shoreline at low tide.”
What part of speech is “clam”?
Depending on how it is used, “clam” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “clam” come from?
The word “clam” comes from Old English. From Old English clam ("bond, grip"), related to a word meaning to press or squeeze together — the shellfish sense comes from how tightly its shell clamps shut.
Is “clam” a common word?
“Clam” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “clam” have?
“Clam” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an edible shellfish with two hinged shells, found buried in sand or mud.