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 all synonyms and antonyms

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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