Main Entry: in·flate

Pronunciation: \in-ˈflāt\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): in·flat·ed; in·flat·ing

Etymology: Middle English, from Latin inflatus, past participle of inflare, from in- + flare to blow — more at blow

Date: 15th century

transitive verb 1 : to swell or distend with air or gas
2 : to puff up : elate <inflate one's ego>
3 : to expand or increase abnormally or imprudentlyintransitive verb : to become inflated

synonyms see expand

— in·fla·tor or in·flat·er \-ˈflā-tər\ noun