What does swarmed mean?
Swarmed is the past tense and past participle of the verb swarm. It describes a large number of insects or other small creatures moving together in a dense group, as when bees swarm around a hive. Figuratively, it describes a place, group, or subject being filled with many people, animals, or things: the museum was swarmed with visitors, while the article was swarmed with comments. The word often suggests movement and abundance rather than merely the presence of a large number. It can also describe people gathering eagerly or excitedly around someone or something, as in a crowd that swarmed the actor after the performance. The base form, swarm, is both a verb and a noun, and the word derives from an Old English term referring to a cluster or multitude of living creatures.
verbTo move in a large group, especially a dense group of insects or other small creatures. In figurative use, it means to be filled with a large number of people, animals, or things.
- To move in a dense, large group, especially of insects or other small animals.
- To be filled or overrun with a large number of people, animals, or things.
- To gather or move around someone or something in a busy, excited crowd.
"The mosquitoes swarmed around the still water as dusk approached."
"Bees swarmed out of the hive when the weather turned warm."
"The news website was swarmed with requests for information."
A single swarm can contain thousands of insects, moving together as if they share one mind.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does swarmed come from?
The word comes from Old English swarm, meaning a group or cluster of bees or other insects, and it is related to words in other Germanic languages with similar senses. As a verb, swarm developed the meaning of moving together in a large group. The modern figurative uses developed from the idea of being filled with or surrounded by a multitude.
Related word forms
How swarmed is actually used
The verb is commonly used with insects and other small animals, but it also has a figurative meaning of being crowded or filled. The expression “swarmed with” is especially frequent.
Easily confused with swarmed
Swarm is the base verb and noun, while swarmed is the past tense and past participle of the verb.