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teem with

B2 neutral inseparable transitive
In simple words

To be completely full of lots and lots of things — especially animals or people moving around.

Meanings

1 B2 neutral

To be full of a large number of living things, people, or activities in lively motion.

"In summer, the rock pools teem with tiny crabs and sea anemones."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B2 idiomatic neutral

To be full of ideas, possibilities, or energy (figurative use).

"Her mind was teeming with ideas for the new project."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Always used with a complement after 'with'. Usually describes places that are alive with activity, wildlife, or people. Common in nature writing and descriptive prose. Implies vitality and movement, not just a static quantity.

Commonly used with

life fish wildlife tourists insects possibilities

Forms

Base
teem with
I/you/we/they
3rd person
teems with
he/she/it
Past simple
teemed with
yesterday
Past participle
teemed with
have + pp
-ing form
teeming with
continuous

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Synonyms

swarm with abound with be full of be alive with bristle with overflow with

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