dwell

verb

ˈdwel 

dwelled ˈdweld 

ˈdwelt

or dwelt ˈdwelt  ; dwelling

intransitive verb

1

: to remain for a time

dwell in the hallway

2

a

: to live as a resident

the town in which he dwelled for eight years

the dwelling place of the gods

b

: exist, lie

where the heart of the matter dwells

3

a

: to keep the attention directed

—used with on or upon

tried not to dwell on my fears

b

: to speak or write insistently

—used with on or upon

reporters dwelling on the recent scandal

dweller

ˈdwe-lər 

noun

Synonyms

• abide
• hang around
• remain
• stay
• stick around
• tarry

Examples of dwell in a Sentence

a cave where bats dwell

dwelling with a farm family as an exchange student in France

Recent Examples on the Web

But the twin forces of an uptick in interest amid water scarcity have left Sicilian cities dwelling on managing an inflow of visitors. —Will Daniel, Fortune Europe, 10 July 2024

The space appears to have been of particular ideological and symbolic significance to the community dwelling at the complex. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 9 July 2024

And, to be fair, the media needs to point out the actual achievements of President Biden and not dwell on MAGA rhetoric. —Washington Post, 5 July 2024

How To Help Your 17-Year-Old Learn and Grow Help your teen focus on making healthy choices like eating nutritiously or exercising rather than dwelling on their appearance. —Sherri Gordon, Parents, 1 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English dwellan to go astray, hinder; akin to Old High German twellen to tarry

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing dwell

• dwell on/upon

Kids Definition

dwell

verb

ˈdwel 

dwelled ˈdweld  ˈdwelt  or dwelt ˈdwelt  ; dwelling

1

: to stay for a while

2

: to live in a place : reside

3

: to keep the attention directed

dwelled on their mistakes

dweller noun