clam
5 synonyms 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
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
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.
clam up
dig for clams
clam chowder
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.
