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 of dwell

• remain
• stay
• wait

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

Tours of the iconic midcentury dwelling previously sold out of a three-day run in November 2025. —India Roby, Architectural Digest, 15 Apr. 2026

In perhaps the most delightful footage shown in Monday's afternoon presentation, Shaun the Sheep and his farm-dwelling friends cower in fear as the titular beast arrives in their home. —Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Apr. 2026

Samba Jean-Baptiste’s music dwells in the semi-sublime state of being bored and stoned. —Emma Madden, Pitchfork, 14 Apr. 2026

Recently, hippos have been spotted in areas that are more than 60 miles north of the ranch, where Escobar initially introduced the water-dwelling pachyderms. —Manuel Rueda, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026

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

Rhymes for dwell

• bel
• belle
• cel
• cell
• dell
• el
• ell
• fel
• fell
• gel
• gell
• jell

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