swollen

[ swoh-luhn ]

verb

1. a past participle of swell.

adjective

1. enlarged by or as by swelling; swelling; puffed up; tumid.
2. turgid or bombastic.

swollen

/ ˈswəʊlən /

verb

1. a past participle of swell

adjective

1. tumid or enlarged by or as if by swelling
2. turgid or bombastic

Derived Forms

• ˈswollenly, adverb
• ˈswollenness, noun

Other Words From

• swollen·ly adverb
• swollen·ness noun
• un·swollen adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of swollen¹

First recorded in 1300–50, for the adjective

Example Sentences

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

She said bond yields were set to stay "volatile" as institutions financing government borrowing "keep a more suspicious eye trained on what the swollen investment budget will be spent on".

From BBC

Isiekwe has won 11 England caps, having made his debut as a 19-year-old in 2017, but faced the prospect of early retirement two years ago after an MRI scan showed his aorta had swollen dangerously.

From BBC

Before consuming, inspect all food for any signs of spoilage, and discard any canned goods that appear swollen, dented or corroded.

From Salon

With her left eye swollen shut and blood pouring from her forehead, Heather Hardy tells the ringside doctor that she wants to continue.

From BBC

Related Words

• bloated
• inflamed
• inflated