teeming

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "teeming" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a place or situation that is full of something, usually people, activity, or life. For example: "The city was teeming with tourists during the summer months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Michael Irwin's The Skull and the Nightingale (HarperCollins) is a bold and witty appropriation of the conventions, style, and idiom of the 18th-century epistolary novel that brilliantly recreates the manners, modes of thought and conduct of the teeming world of London.

The Guardian - Books

The trouble is still there though and as two attempts have been made within the week on Calles' life, the place is teeming with an undercurrent of excitement.

The Guardian - Opinion

I have seen my name in lights once only, and I freely admit that I never tired of turning the street corner and seeing them blinking away above the London buses and teeming crowds.

The Guardian

But in teeming rain on a semi-waterlogged playing surface at Aldershot's Recreation Ground, the underdogs won 2-0 with goals from Ian McDonald and Bobby Barnes (pen), a significant lead to take to a dilapidated Molineux.

The Guardian - Sport

The rain was teeming down in Bern and Hungary were about to win the World Cup.

The Guardian - Sport

Uche's car was less than 10 metres from a car packed with explosives which detonated in a teeming business district in the central Nigerian city of Jos on Tuesday afternoon.

The Guardian

The verges on the A6 north of Kendal are said to be teeming with the weed and it is also charging unchecked along railways and motorways.

The Guardian

New streets rose teeming with mills and warehouses for storing and displaying fabric.

The Guardian

Here in Milan, among this teeming crowd, it is as if they don't need our presence.

The Guardian - Arts

The Kurdish north is teeming with refugees two months after much of northern Iraq was emptied by the advance of militants from the Islamic State who have shattered centuries of coexistence in the area.

The Guardian

Campo San Stefano 2847, San Marco, [phone], palazzofranchetti.it, lunch only, closed Saturday and Sunday The corner of Cannaregio that runs along the quayside of the Misericordia and Ormesini canals has become Venice's nightlife hub, teeming with partygoers from sunset onwards.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "teeming" to vividly describe a place or situation that is abundantly full of life, activity, or things, enhancing the reader's understanding and engagement.

Common error

While "teeming" is effective in many situations, avoid overusing it in formal or academic writing where a more precise or neutral term might be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "abundant" or "plentiful" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "teeming" is to act as a present participle, modifying a noun to describe a state of being abundantly full. As Ludwig AI highlights, it describes a place or situation full of something, usually people, activity, or life.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "teeming" is a versatile and frequently used verb form that vividly describes something as being abundantly full. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English to depict places or situations overflowing with life, activity, or objects. While widely employed in journalistic contexts, as shown in the numerous examples from sources like The Guardian and The Economist, it maintains a neutral tone suitable for various writing styles. To enrich your vocabulary and avoid repetition, you can consider alternatives such as "abounding with" or "swarming with", each offering a slightly different shade of meaning. Remember to use "teeming" to create an evocative picture for your reader.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

swarming with

Specifically refers to a large number of living things, like insects or people, similar to "teeming" but more specific.

abounding with

Focuses on the presence of something in great quantity, similar to "teeming" but slightly more formal.

alive with

Emphasizes activity and liveliness, like a place "teeming" with people or animals.

overflowing with

Implies a quantity so large it's spilling over, suggesting even greater abundance than "teeming".

brimming with

Suggests being filled to the top, emphasizing capacity, similar to "teeming" but more contained.

packed with

Emphasizes density and being tightly filled, similar to "teeming" when referring to crowds or objects.

saturated with

Implies being thoroughly soaked or filled, suitable when "teeming" refers to a substance or quality.

crawling with

Often used to describe something unpleasant, like insects, but conveys the idea of being full of life, similar to "teeming".

replete with

A more formal alternative, suggesting something is completely filled or satisfied, similar to "teeming" but less dynamic.

rich in

Highlights the presence of desirable qualities or resources, while "teeming" focuses on sheer abundance.

FAQs

How do you use "teeming" in a sentence?

Use "teeming" to describe a place or situation that is full of activity or life. For example, "The city streets were teeming with tourists."

What can I say instead of "teeming"?

You can use alternatives like "abounding with", "overflowing with", or "swarming with" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "teeming with life" or "teeming of life"?

"Teeming with life" is the correct and idiomatic expression. "Teeming of life" is not standard English.

What's the difference between "teeming" and "swarming"?

"Teeming" generally means full of something, while "swarming" specifically refers to a large group of insects or people moving together. "Swarming" is more specific in its application.