swell

¹swell

verb \ˈswel\

swelledswelled or swol·len \ˈswō-lən\ swell·ing

Definition of SWELL

intransitive verb

1

a : to expand (as in size, volume, or numbers) gradually beyond a normal or original limit <the population swelled>

b : to become distended or puffed up <her ankle is badly swollen>

c : to form a bulge or rounded elevation

2

a : to become filled with pride and arrogance

b : to behave or speak in a pompous, blustering, or self-important manner

c : to play the swell

3

: to become distended with emotion

transitive verb

1

: to affect with a powerful or expansive emotion

2

: to increase the size, number, or intensity of <swell the applicant pool>

Examples of SWELL

1. Her broken ankle swelled badly.
2. Heavy rains swelled the river.
3. The population has swelled in recent years.
4. The economy is swelling at an annual rate of five percent.
5. Immigrants have swelled the population.

Origin of SWELL

Middle English, from Old English swellan; akin to Old High German swellan to swell

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to SWELL

Synonyms

accelerate, accumulate, appreciate, balloon, boom, build up, burgeon (also bourgeon), climb, enlarge, escalate, expand, gain, mount, multiply, mushroom, proliferate, rise, roll up, snowball, spread, increase, wax

Antonyms

contract, decrease, diminish, dwindle, lessen, recede, wane

Related Words

jump, rocket, skyrocket, surge; heighten, intensify, redouble; blow up, bulk, distend, inflate, puff (up); crescendo, crest, peak

Near Antonyms

abbreviate, abridge, curtail, shorten; compress, condense, constrict, contract; cut back, retrench

See Synonym Discussion at expand

Rhymes with SWELL

bel, bell, belle, cel, cell, dell, dwell, el, ell, fell, gel, Hel, hell, jell, knell, l, mell, quell, sell, shell, smell, snell, spell, tell, well, yell

²swell

noun

Definition of SWELL

1

: a long often massive and crestless wave or succession of waves often continuing beyond or after its cause (as a gale)

2

a : the condition of being protuberant

b : a rounded elevation

3

a : the act or process of swelling

b (1) : a gradual increase and decrease of the loudness of a musical sound; also : a sign indicating a swell (2) : a device used in an organ for governing loudness

4

a archaic : an impressive, pompous, or fashionable air or display

b : a person dressed in the height of fashion

c : a person of high social position or outstanding competence

Examples of SWELL

1. The storm has brought high winds and heavy swells along the coast.
2. the swell of a pregnant woman's belly
3. a swell in the population
4. the swell of the music

First Known Use of SWELL

1606

Related to SWELL

Synonyms

bunch, convexity, jut, overhang, projection, protrusion, protuberance, bulge

Antonyms

cavity, concave, concavity, dent, depression, dint, hollow, indent, indentation, indenture, pit, recess

Related Words

dome; blob, bump, dilatation, gibbosity, hump, knob, knot, knurl, lump, nub, obtrusion, puff, snag, swelling; block, piece, portion, section; enlargement, escalation, expansion, increase; hill, mound

Near Antonyms

crater, hole, well; basin, bowl, dip, valley; furrow, groove, trench, trough; dimple, gouge, impression, notch, pocket

³swell

adjective

Definition of SWELL

1

a : stylish

b : socially prominent

2

: excellent —used as a generalized term of enthusiasm

Examples of SWELL

1. That was a swell party.
2. <what a swell time we had at the country club dance>

First Known Use of SWELL

1785

Related to SWELL

Synonyms

A-OK, A1, awesome, bang-up, banner, beautiful, blue-chip, blue-ribbon, boffo, bonny (also bonnie) [chiefly British], boss [slang], brag, brave, bully, bumper, capital, choice, classic, cool [slang], corking, crackerjack, cracking, dandy, divine, dope [slang], down [slang], dynamite, fab, fabulous, famous, fantabulous [slang], fantastic, fine, first-class, first-rate, first-string, five-star, four-star, frontline, gangbusters (also gangbuster), gilt-edged (or gilt-edge), gone [slang], grand, great, groovy, heavenly, high-class, hot, hype [slang], immense, jim-dandy, keen, lovely, marvelous (or marvellous), mean, neat, nifty, noble, number one (also No. 1), numero uno, out-of-sight [slang], par excellence, peachy, peachy keen, phat [slang], prime, primo [slang], prize, prizewinning, quality, radical [slang], righteous [slang], sensational, slick, splendid, stellar, sterling, superb, superior, superlative, supernal, excellent, terrific, tip-top, top, top-flight, top-notch, top-of-the-line, topping [chiefly British], top-shelf, unsurpassed, wizard [chiefly British], wonderful

Antonyms

atrocious, awful, execrable, lousy, pathetic, poor, rotten, terrible, vile, wretched

Related Words

acceptable, adequate, all right, decent, good, OK (or okay), passable, satisfactory, tolerable; better, exceptional, fancy, high-grade, high-test, premium, select, special, superfine; classical, standard, traditional

Near Antonyms

bad, inferior, low-grade, substandard, unsatisfactory; mediocre, middling, second-class, second-rate

swell

intransitive verb \ˈswel\   (Medical Dictionary)

swelled; swelledor ; swol·len \ˈswō-lən\ (audio pronunciation); swell·ing

Medical Definition of SWELL

: to become distended or puffed up <her ankle swelled>