swamped
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /swɑmpt/
KK: /swɑmpt/
adjective
Definition
Extremely busy or overwhelmed with tasks and responsibilities.
Example
I feel swamped with all the work I have to finish this week.
Conversation
Hey, how have you been?
I’ve been really swamped with work lately.
That sounds tough! What’s been keeping you busy?
Just a lot of projects piling up, you know how it is.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
overwhelmed
busy
engaged
Antonyms
idle
free
unoccupied
verb
Definition
To be overwhelmed or flooded with something, often used to describe being very busy or having too much to handle.
Example
After the storm, the town was swamped with water, making it difficult to travel.
Tense Forms
Past: swamped
Past Participle: swamped
Conversation
I was so busy with work yesterday, I really felt swamped.
I know the feeling! Sometimes it just piles up like crazy.
Exactly! I had to stay late just to catch up on everything I swamped myself with.
Root Explanation
Swamped originates from the verb 'swamp' (from Old English 'swampa', meaning a wetland or marsh). The '-ed' suffix indicates a past participle form. Thus, 'swamped' means to be overwhelmed or inundated, as if one were submerged in a swamp.
Memory Tip
Imagine being overwhelmed like being in a wet, muddy swamp — that's why 'swamped' means to be inundated or overwhelmed.
Visually Confused Words
swape
stampede