swarm
swawm
Swarm (noun) means a large group of insects, especially bees, moving or migrating together. Example: “A swarm of bees settled in the old oak tree.”
noun
1
A large group of insects, especially bees, moving or migrating together.
"A swarm of bees settled in the old oak tree."
2
A large moving crowd of people or animals.
"A swarm of reporters gathered outside the courthouse."
verb
1
To move together in a large, dense group.
"Tourists swarmed around the famous statue."
2
To be filled or overrun with something, especially insects or people.
"The picnic area was swarming with wasps."
How to use swarm
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA large, dense, moving group — often insects, but also people — or the act of moving or crowding together like one.
Common pairings
a swarm of bees
swarming with tourists
earthquake swarm
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Word forms
- Plural
- swarms
- Third person singular
- swarms
- Past tense
- swarmed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ of bees settled in the old oak tree.
Etymology
From Old English swearm, "swarm, multitude," from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to buzz or hum."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for swarm
See all rhymes for swarm →Frequently asked questions
What does “swarm” mean?
The word “swarm” means a large group of insects, especially bees, moving or migrating together. In plain terms, a large, dense, moving group — often insects, but also people — or the act of moving or crowding together like one.
How do you pronounce “swarm”?
“Swarm” is pronounced swawm (/swɔɹm/ in IPA).
How do you use “swarm” in a sentence?
Here is “swarm” used in a sentence: “A swarm of bees settled in the old oak tree.”
What part of speech is “swarm”?
Depending on how it is used, “swarm” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “swarm” come from?
The word “swarm” comes from Old English. From Old English swearm, "swarm, multitude," from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to buzz or hum.".
Is “swarm” a common word?
“Swarm” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “swarm” have?
“Swarm” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large group of insects, especially bees, moving or migrating together.
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