Definition of 'teem'
Word forms: teems, teeming, teemed
intransitive verb [usu cont]
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Video: pronunciation of
teem
Word Frequency
teem in American English 1
verb intransitive
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word Frequency
teem in British English 1
verb
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word origin
Old English tēman to produce offspring; related to West Saxon tīeman; see teamWord Frequency
teem in British English 2
verb
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Derived forms
teemer (ˈteemer) noun
Word origin
C15 temen to empty, from Old Norse tœma; related to Old English tōm, Old High German zuomīg empty
Examples of 'teem' in a sentence
teem
These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…
Trends of
teem
View usage over:
In other languages
teem
British English: teem
VERB /tiːm/
If you say that a place is teeming with people or animals, you mean that it is crowded and the people and animals are moving around a lot.
For most of the year, the area is teeming with tourists.
Browse alphabetically
teem
Source
Definition of teem from the Collins English Dictionary
Quick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
foul or fowl?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
fowl
foul
Carve the into eight pieces.
scene or seen?
Which version is correct?
gait or gate?
Which version is correct?
miner or minor?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
miner
minor
I watched as each coal was brought to safety.
manner or manor?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
manner
manor
She smiled again in a friendly .
Your score:
9 new words in Collins Dictionary
There is a scientific bent to 9 new words added to the Collins Online Dictionary, including three types of 'blot' tests, and words relating to electric vehicles.
Read more
Study guides for every stage of your learning journey
Whether you're in search of a crossword puzzle, a detailed guide to tying knots, or tips on writing the perfect college essay, Harper Reference has you covered for all your study needs.
Read more
A little bird told me… 7 animal idioms
It’s new words time at Collins Dictionary and this month we see the addition of words like fingerling, net zero and emotional support animal. This month, there were a few animal-related additions.
Read more
Collins English Dictionary Apps
Download our English Dictionary apps - available for both iOS and Android.
Read more
Collins Dictionaries for Schools
Our new online dictionaries for schools provide a safe and appropriate environment for children. And best of all it's ad free, so sign up now and start using at home or in the classroom.
Read more
Word lists
We have almost 200 lists of words from topics as varied as types of butterflies, jackets, currencies, vegetables and knots!
Amaze your friends with your new-found knowledge!
Read more
Join the Collins community
All the latest wordy news, linguistic insights, offers and competitions every month.
Read more
Updating our Usage
There are many diverse influences on the way that English is used across the world today. We look at some of the ways in which the language is changing. Read our series of blogs to find out more.
Read more
Area 51, Starship, and Harvest Moon: September’s Words in the News
I’m sure a lot of people would agree that we live in strange times. But do they have to be so strange that Area 51 is making headlines? And what’s this about fish the look like aliens. September’s Words in the News explain all.
Read more
Quick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
wear or where?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
Where
Wear
will it all end?
vane or vein or vain?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
vain
vane
vein
I was singing in a effort to cheer him up.
cell or sell?
Which version is correct?
we're or were or where?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
were
we're
where
There always things to think about when she went walking.
him or hymn?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
him
hymn
On his arrival, Elaine met at the bus station.
Your score: