clam
clam Lexical Profile
clam Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Any of various burrowing marine or freshwater bivalve mollusks (class Bivalvia) having two shells of equal size connected by a muscular hinge.
"At low tide, the children walked along the wet sand looking for air holes left by burrowing clams."
The edible, savory flesh of such a bivalve mollusk, eaten raw, steamed, fried, or used as an ingredient in soups and chowders.
"The coastal restaurant is famous for its creamy New England chowder loaded with tender clams and diced potatoes."
American A dollar (used in informal slang).
"He paid fifty clams for a front-row ticket to the concert."
• verb
To abruptly refuse to speak or answer questions (usually followed by 'up').
"The witness clammed up as soon as the investigators asked about the missing documents."
To dig for or gather clams along a shore or mudflat.
"During the summer vacation, the family clammed along the tidal flats every morning."
• Rhymes for clam
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Shortened from earlier 'clamshell' (16th century), deriving from Old English 'clamm' meaning a bond, fetter, or grip, in reference to the tightly closing shells of the mollusk.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.