Advertisement

View synonyms for teem

teem

1

[teem]

verb (used without object)

  1. to abound or swarm; be prolific or fertile (usually followed bywith ).

  2. Obsolete.,  to be or become pregnant; bring forth young.



verb (used with object)

  1. Obsolete.,  to produce (offspring).

teem

2

[teem]

verb (used with or without object)

  1. to empty or pour out; discharge.

teem

1

/ tiːm /

verb

  1. to be prolific or abundant (in); abound (in)

  2. obsolete,  to bring forth (young)

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

teem

2

/ tiːm /

verb

  1. (intr; often foll by down or with rain) to pour in torrents

    it's teeming down

  2. (tr) to pour or empty out

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Other Word Forms

  • teemer noun
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of teem1

before 900; Middle English temen, Old English tēman, tīeman to produce (offspring), derivative of tēam team

Origin of teem2

1250–1300; Middle English temen < Old Norse tæma to empty, derivative of tōmr empty, cognate with Old English tōm free from
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of teem1

Old English tēman to produce offspring; related to West Saxon tīeman; see team

Origin of teem2

C15 temen to empty, from Old Norse tœma; related to Old English tōm, Old High German zuomīg empty
Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

New York City has challenged legions of writers who have attempted to wrestle its teeming humanity, its ever-evolving economy and the sheer too-muchness of its more than 350-year history into literary form.

A carpet of leaves teems with color and life, an ocean of reds and browns.

Less than a half-hour from Philadelphia, the Edelman, which opened March 29, takes full advantage of its site, once a sea teeming with marine creatures and, more recently, a glauconite quarry.

"We used to be teeming with corporate lobbyists, now we are teeming with party members."

Read more on BBC

Within days, it would become a teeming hub of activists, journalists, and members of the public - crowds which will surely gather once again at the new court hearing in Nîmes.

Read more on BBC

Advertisement

Related Words

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


teekteeming