lam
16 synonyms and 0 antonyms for lam, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To hit or beat someone hard.
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 lam
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Middle English lamen/lemen, going back to Old English and Old Norse roots meaning "to make lame" — the "beat" sense came first, and "flee" grew out of underworld slang in the early 1900s.
Full origin of lam →Frequently asked questions
What does “lam” mean?
The word “lam” means to hit or beat someone hard. In plain terms, either to hit someone hard, or to make a run for it — most commonly heard today in the phrase "on the lam," meaning hiding from the law.
How do you pronounce “lam”?
“Lam” is pronounced lam (/læm/ in IPA).
How do you use “lam” in a sentence?
Here is “lam” used in a sentence: “He threatened to lam anyone who touched his bike.”
What part of speech is “lam”?
Depending on how it is used, “lam” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “lam” come from?
The word “lam” dates back to around 1900 and comes from Old English. From Middle English lamen/lemen, going back to Old English and Old Norse roots meaning "to make lame" — the "beat" sense came first, and "flee" grew out of underworld slang in the early 1900s.
Is “lam” a common word?
“Lam” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “lam” have?
“Lam” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to hit or beat someone hard.