swimmer

IPA/ˈswɪmə(r)/
KK[swˈɪmɚ]IPA/ˈswɪmər/

swimmer — noun

  • swimmersingular
  • swimmersplural

1. a person who swims — whether for sport, exercise, or simply to move through wate

1.nounA1
Definition

a person who swims — whether for sport, exercise, or simply to move through water

Example

Romi has been a strong swimmer since she was seven years old.

strong swimmer — adjective describing ability level

The swimmer took a deep breath before diving into the pool.

Common collocations
  • strong swimmer
  • good swimmer
  • fast swimmer
  • competitive swimmer
  • Olympic swimmer
  • open-water swimmer
Synonyms
  • bather

    mainly British English, refers to someone swimming for pleasure rather than sport; less common and slightly old-fashioned

  • pool-goer

    informal, refers specifically to someone who visits a swimming pool; broader in scope as it includes non-swimmers

Antonyms
  • non-swimmer

    a person who does not know how to swim or does not swim

Grammar Patterns

adjective + swimmer

article + swimmer + verb

Usage Note

Unlike 'athlete' or 'sportsman', this sense describes anyone who swims — from beginners to Olympic competitors — and is the most common meaning across all varieties of English.

Common Mistakes

She is a swimmer in that red swimmer.
She is a swimmer in that red swimsuit.
Using 'swimmer' for both the person and the clothing creates confusion; use 'swimsuit' for the garment.

2. a male reproductive cell (sperm) that can fertilise a female egg to create offsp

2.nounC1
Definition

a male reproductive cell (sperm) that can fertilise a female egg to create offspring in humans and other animals

Example

In biology class, the teacher showed how a single swimmer fertilises an egg cell.

single swimmer — counting individual sperm cells

The male fish releases swimmers into the water during the breeding season.

Synonyms
  • sperm

    the standard term in medicine and biology; 'swimmer' is less formal

  • spermatozoon

    the formal scientific term for a single sperm cell; much more technical than 'swimmer'

Antonyms
  • egg (ovum)

    the female reproductive cell that a swimmer fertilises

Grammar Patterns

swimmer + verb (active movement)

countable: a swimmer / swimmers

Usage Note

In formal scientific writing, 'sperm' or 'spermatozoon' is preferred; 'swimmer' is more common in informal educational contexts or casual speech.

Common Mistakes

The doctor checked my swimmers.' (vague in a clinical setting).
The doctor checked my sperm count.
In medical or polite conversation, 'sperm' is clearer and more appropriate than 'swimmer'.

3. a garment such as a swimsuit or swimming trunks that you wear to swim in

3.nounB1
Definition

a garment such as a swimsuit or swimming trunks that you wear to swim in

Example

Roya forgot to pack her swimmer for the beach trip.

swimmer as garment — informal British usage

Bao bought a new swimmer at the shop near the hotel pool.

Synonyms
  • swimsuit

    the standard term in both American and British English; 'swimmer' is more informal and regionally limited

  • swimming costume

    the common polite term in British English for a woman's one-piece swimsuit; more formal than 'swimmer'

  • bathing suit

    slightly old-fashioned but still used in American English; broader in style than 'swimmer'

Grammar Patterns

possessive + swimmer

article + swimmer

Usage Note

Primarily British and informal; 'swimsuit', 'bathing suit', or 'swimming costume' are more common in formal writing or American English.

Common Mistakes

I bought a new swimmer for my holiday in the US.' (may confuse Americans).
I bought a new swimsuit for my holiday in the US.
In American English, 'swimmer' does not mean swimsuit; use 'swimsuit' or 'bathing suit'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Swimmer, bather, and pool-goer all describe someone in or near water, but they differ in scope and register. 'Swimmer' is the neutral, most common term — it covers everyone from a child learning to paddle to an Olympic athlete ('A strong swimmer can cross the lake in under an hour'). 'Bather' is mainly British and suggests someone swimming for pleasure rather than exercise or competition; it has a slightly old-fashioned, leisure-focused feel ('The beach was full of bathers enjoying the warm sea'). 'Pool-goer' is informal and refers broadly to anyone who visits a swimming pool, regardless of whether they actually swim ('The pool-goers lounged on deck chairs by the water'). For everyday use, 'swimmer' is the safest and most widely understood choice.

swimmer ↗bather ↗pool-goer

Common collocations

Nouns

  • Olympic swimmer
  • open-water swimmer
  • competitive swimmer
  • long-distance swimmer
  • speed swimmer

Adverbs

  • strongly (in strong swimmer)

Phrases

  • strong swimmer
  • good swimmer
  • fast swimmer

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

The word 'swimmer' comes from Old English 'swimman' (to move through water) combined with the agent suffix '-er', meaning 'one who does'. It has been used for a person who swims since the Old English period. The biological sense referring to a sperm cell arose in the 19th century as a colloquial extension based on the cell's swimming-like movement. The clothing sense — a short form of 'swimming costume' — appeared in British informal English during the 20th century.