swell

[ swel ]

verb (used without object)

, swelled, swol·len or swelled, swell·ing.

1. to grow in bulk, as by the absorption of moisture or the processes of growth.

   Synonyms: expand, distend

   Antonyms: contract

2. Pathology. to increase abnormally in size, as by inflation, distention, accumulation of fluids, or the like:

   Her ankles swelled from standing.

3. to rise in waves, as the sea.
4. to well up, as a spring or as tears.
5. to bulge out, as a sail or the middle of a cask.

   Synonyms: protrude

6. to grow in amount, degree, force, etc.
7. to increase gradually in volume or intensity, as sound:

   The music swelled.

8. to arise and grow within one, as a feeling or emotion.
9. to become puffed up with pride.

verb (used with object)

, swelled, swol·len or swelled, swell·ing.

1. to cause to grow in bulk.

   Synonyms: expand, inflate

2. to cause to increase gradually in loudness:

   to swell a musical tone.

3. to cause (a thing) to bulge out or be protuberant.
4. to increase in amount, degree, force, etc.

   Antonyms: diminish, decrease

5. to affect with a strong, expansive emotion.
6. to puff up with pride.

noun

1. the act of swelling or the condition of being swollen.
2. inflation or distention.

   Synonyms: swelling

3. a protuberant part.

   Synonyms: bulge

4. a wave, especially when long and unbroken, or a series of such waves.

   Synonyms: billow

5. a gradually rising elevation of the land.
6. an increase in amount, degree, force, etc.
7. a gradual increase in loudness of sound.
8. Music.
   1. a gradual increase (crescendo) followed by a gradual decrease (diminuendo) in loudness or force of musical sound.
   2. the sign (< >) for indicating this.
   3. a device, as in an organ, by which the loudness of tones may be varied.
9. a swelling of emotion within one.
10. Slang.
    1. a fashionably dressed person; dandy.
    2. a socially prominent person.

adjective

, Informal.

1. (of things) stylish; elegant:

   a swell hotel.

2. (of persons) fashionably dressed or socially prominent.

   Synonyms: grand

3. first-rate; fine:

   a swell party.

   Synonyms: grand

swell

/ swɛl /

verb

1. to grow or cause to grow in size, esp as a result of internal pressure Compare contract contract
2. to expand or cause to expand at a particular point or above the surrounding level; protrude
3. to grow or cause to grow in size, amount, intensity, or degree

   the party is swelling with new recruits

4. to puff or be puffed up with pride or another emotion
5. intr (of seas or lakes) to rise in waves
6. intr to well up or overflow
7. tr to make (a musical phrase) increase gradually in volume and then diminish

noun

1. 1. the undulating movement of the surface of the open sea
   2. a succession of waves or a single large wave
2. a swelling or being swollen; expansion
3. an increase in quantity or degree; inflation
4. a bulge; protuberance
5. a gentle hill
6. informal.
   a person very fashionably dressed
7. informal.
   a man of high social or political standing
8. music a crescendo followed by an immediate diminuendo
9. Also calledswell organ music
   1. a set of pipes on an organ housed in a box ( swell box ) fitted with a shutter operated by a pedal, which can be opened or closed to control the volume
   2. the manual on an organ controlling this Compare choir great

adjective

1. informal.
   stylish or grand
2. slang.
   excellent; first-class

Other Words From

• re·swell verb reswelled reswelled or reswollen reswelling
• under·swell verb (used without object) underswelled underswelled or underswollen underswelling
• under·swell noun
• un·swelled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of swell¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English swellen (verb), Old English swellan; cognate with Dutch zwellen, German schwellen, Old Norse svella; akin to Gothic ufswalleins “pride”

Word History and Origins

Origin of swell¹

Old English swellan; related to Old Norse svella, Old Frisian swella, German schwellen

Example Sentences

Wave data showed swells of more than 20 feet in the waters off of Northern California on Tuesday as winds exceeded 40 knots.

From Los Angeles Times

She said she first started getting the injectables after the Bell's palsy several years back had left her face inflamed and swollen, making her a recluse.

From BBC

The swelling increased quickly and a node in his groin swelled to the size of a golf ball, he said.

From Los Angeles Times

He noted that on Saturday there were 8 to 10 foot swells, with winds recorded at over 10 to 15 knots, or about 15 mph.

From Los Angeles Times

In Pennsylvania, the prized battleground state, Trump benefited from a huge swell of support from the state's growing Latino population.

From BBC

Related Words

• accumulate
• add to
• balloon
• bloat
• bulge
• enlarge
• expand
• fatten
• grow
• increase
• mount
• rise
• surge