1 B1 neutral
To force people or objects into a confined space so that they are tightly packed.
"Forty students were crammed together into a room designed for twenty."
inseparable
cram together
B1 neutral inseparable transitive/intransitive
To force people or things into a very small space so they are tightly packed.
In plain English
To push lots of people or things into a small space so they are squished together.
What does "cram together" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 neutral
To gather or cluster very close together, typically due to limited space.
"The refugees had to cram together in a small shelter to stay warm."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To cram means to stuff something into a space; 'together' means combining into one crowded area.
Actually means
To push lots of people or things into a small space so they are squished together.
Usage tip
Can be used reflexively ('we crammed together') or transitively ('they crammed us together'). Carries a connotation of discomfort or lack of space.
Words that pair with "cram together"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
passengers students boxes furniture people animals
How to conjugate "cram together"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
cram together
I/you/we/they
3rd person
crams together
he/she/it
Past simple
cramed together
yesterday
Past participle
cramed together
have + pp
-ing form
craming together
continuous
Hear "cram together" in the wild
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Other ways to say "cram together"
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