free swimming
/friː ˈswɪmɪŋ/
adjective
- Able to swim and move around on its own, not attached to a surface or to a parent (used especially for young animals or organisms).
- Free-swimming larvae of coral drift in the ocean before settling on the reef.
- After hatching, the tadpoles become free-swimming within a few days.
- The aquarium released free-swimming baby fish into the pond.
Synonyms