swimming
6 synonyms for swimming, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The activity or sport of moving through water using the body.
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.
aquatics
water sports
taking a dip
going for a swim
How to use swimming
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
swimming pool
swimming lessons
go swimming
Etymology
Came from Middle English swymmynge, equivalent to swim (“to move through water”, verb) plus the gerund-forming suffix -ing.
Full origin of swimming →Frequently asked questions
What does “swimming” mean?
The word “swimming” means the activity or sport of moving through water using the body. In plain terms, the sport or activity of propelling yourself through water.
How do you pronounce “swimming”?
“Swimming” is pronounced SWIH-mihng (/ˈswɪmɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “swimming” in a sentence?
Here is “swimming” used in a sentence: “Swimming is one of the best forms of low-impact exercise.”
What part of speech is “swimming”?
“Swimming” is a noun.
Is “swimming” a common word?
“Swimming” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
Is swimming a good form of exercise?
Yes. Swimming is a low-impact, full-body workout that builds cardiovascular fitness, strength, and endurance while staying gentle on the joints. Because the water supports your weight, it suits almost everyone, including older people, pregnant women, and those recovering from injury, which is why it's one of the most widely recommended activities.
What are the main swimming strokes?
The four competitive strokes are freestyle (front crawl), backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly. Freestyle is the fastest and most common, while butterfly is the most physically demanding. Beginners usually start with breaststroke or front crawl. Beyond these, casual styles like the sidestroke and doggy paddle remain popular for simple recreation.
Can you learn to swim as an adult?
Absolutely. While many people learn as children, swimming can be taught at any age, and adult lessons are widely available. Progress may feel slower because adults often carry more fear of the water, but with patient instruction and regular practice, most people can become confident, safe swimmers regardless of when they start.
Why is swimming considered an important life skill?
Beyond fitness, swimming is a matter of safety. Knowing how to stay afloat and move through water dramatically reduces the risk of drowning, one of the leading causes of accidental death worldwide. This is why water-safety education and basic swimming ability are encouraged from an early age in most countries.
