clam
Clam (noun) means an edible shellfish with two hinged shells, found buried in sand or mud. Example: “We dug for clams along the shoreline at low tide.”
How to Use Clam
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA shellfish with a hinged shell — or, informally, a dollar, or (as "clam up") to suddenly stop talking.
Word Forms
clammer comparative, clammed past tense, clammed past tense, clammed past tense, clams plural, clams plural, clams singular, clams singular, clams singular, clammest superlative
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
We dug for _____ along the shoreline at low tide.
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.
Rhymes for clam
See all rhymes for 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.