teem

UK: /ˈtiːm/ US: /tim/ ,(tēm)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

teem¹ /tim/   v. [no object* (~ + with + object)]

1. to have plenty of;
   to abound with:
   The lake was teeming with fish.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

teem¹ (tēm),  v.i. 

1. to abound or swarm;
   be prolific or fertile (usually fol. by with).
2. [Obs.] to be or become pregnant;
   bring forth young.

v.t. 

3. [Obs.] to produce (offspring).

• Middle English temen, Old English tēman, tīeman to produce (offspring), derivative of tēam team bef. 900

teem′er, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. overflow, brim, overrun, bristle.

teem² (tēm), v.t., v.i. 

1. to empty or pour out;
   discharge.

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

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

teem / tiːm/ verb

1. (intransitive) usually followed by with: to be prolific or abundant (in); abound (in)

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

teem / tiːm/ verb

1. (intr; often followed by down or with rain) to pour in torrents
2. (transitive) to pour or empty out

Etymology: 15th Century temen to empty, from Old Norse tœma; related to Old English tōm, Old High German zuomīg empty