Lam — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun abbreviation /ˈlam/

Meaning & Definition of Lam

Lam (verb)

  1. to beat soundly, thrash
  2. strike, thrash
  3. to flee hastily, scram

Lam (noun)

  1. sudden or hurried flight especially from the law

Lam (abbreviation)

  1. Lamentations

Lam (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the act or an instance of getting free from danger or confinement

    "the prisoners were recaptured after only three days on the lam"

    similar: break, breakout, bunk (British), escape, flight, getaway, rout, slip
    related: jailbreak, deliverance, liberation, redemption, release, rescue, salvation, close call, close shave, near miss
    near: captivity, confinement, immurement, imprisonment, incarceration, internment, custody, detention, hold, holding, retention, endangerment, hazard, imperilment, jeopardy, peril, risk, trouble

Lam (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to get free from a dangerous or confining situation

    "let's lam out of this hellhole while there's still time"

    similar: abscond, break out (of), clear out, escape, flee, fly, get out, run away, run off, break free
    related: avoid, elude, evade, lose, shun, decamp, depart, elope, exit, go, leave, move, pull out, quit, sally (forth), shove (off), take off, walk out, disentangle, extricate, bring off, emancipate, enfranchise, free, liberate, loose, loosen, manumit, redeem, release, rescue, spring, unbind, uncage, unchain, unfetter
    near: abide, dwell, hang around, linger, remain, stay, stick around, tarry, come back, return

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Lam

The most common words with a similar meaning to Lam:

British: bunk
break, breakout, escape, flight, getaway, rout, slip, abscond, break out (of), clear out, flee, fly, get out, run away, run off, break free

Related Words for Lam

jailbreak, deliverance, liberation, redemption, release, rescue, salvation, close call, close shave, near miss, avoid, elude, evade, lose, shun, decamp, depart, elope, exit, go, leave, move, pull out, quit, sally (forth), shove (off), take off, walk out, disentangle, extricate

Near Antonyms of Lam

captivity, confinement, immurement, imprisonment, incarceration, internment, custody, detention, hold, holding, retention, endangerment, hazard, imperilment, jeopardy, peril, risk, trouble, abide, dwell, hang around, linger, remain, stay, stick around, tarry, come back, return

Word Forms of Lam

Inflections: lammed, lamming

Origin & Etymology of Lam

perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse lemja to thrash; akin to Old English lama lame

First known use: 1595t

Words & Phrases Containing Lam

on the lam, take it on the lam

Frequently Asked Questions about Lam

What does "Lam" mean?

"Lam" means to beat soundly, thrash. As an a verb, a noun and an abbreviation, it is defined as: to beat soundly, thrash. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Lam"?

Other words for "Lam" include break, breakout, bunk, escape, flight, getaway, rout and slip. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Lam" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Lam"?

There are 61 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Lam". Common alternatives include break, breakout, bunk, escape, flight, getaway, rout, slip, abscond and break out (of).

How do you use "Lam" in a sentence?

Examples of "Lam" in a sentence: "the prisoners were recaptured after only three days on the lam"; "let's lam out of this hellhole while there's still time".

Is "Lam" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Lam" can be used as a verb, a noun and an abbreviation, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Lam"?

"Lam" is pronounced /ˈlam/.

What is the origin of the word "Lam"?

"Lam" comes from perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse lemja to thrash; akin to Old English lama lame. First known use: 1595t.

What is another word for "Lam" meaning "the act or an instance of getting free from danger or confinement"?

When "Lam" (noun) means the act or an instance of getting free from danger or confinement, synonyms include break, breakout, bunk, escape, flight and getaway.