bathing

This term encompasses both the hygienic act of washing and the recreational act of swimming. In British English, it frequently refers to the tradition of visiting the seaside for swimming and sunbathing, whereas in American English, it more commonly suggests the act of washing in a tub.

When used as an adjective, it functions as a classifier to specify the purpose of an object, such as a suit or a costume. In this role, it is static and does not describe a quality that can be varied in degree, meaning it cannot be used in comparative or superlative forms.