inflate

1 of 2

verb

in·​flate in-ˈflāt 

inflated; inflating

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 imprudently

rapid economic growth that inflates prices

intransitive verb

: to become inflated

inflator noun

or inflater

in-ˈflā-tər 

inflator

2 of 2

noun

in·​fla·​tor

variants or inflater

ə̇nˈflātə(r) 

-ātə-

plural -s

: one that inflates

especially : a hand air pump

tire inflator

Choose the Right Synonym for inflate

expand, amplify, swell, distend, inflate, dilate mean to increase in size or volume.

expand may apply regardless of the manner of increase (such as growth, unfolding, addition of parts).

a business that expands every year

amplify implies the extension or enlargement of something inadequate.

amplify the statement with details

swell implies gradual expansion beyond a thing's original or normal limits.

the bureaucracy swelled to unmanageable proportions

distend implies outward extension caused by pressure from within.

a distended abdomen

inflate implies expanding by introduction of air or something insubstantial and suggests a vulnerability to sudden collapse.

an inflated ego

dilate applies especially to expansion of circumference.

dilated pupils

Examples of inflate in a Sentence

Verb

We used a pump to inflate the raft.

Economists warn that rapid economic growth could inflate prices.

Increased competition has inflated salaries among professional athletes.

Rapid economic growth may cause prices to inflate.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The glove features a network of 13 pneumatic tubes that inflate individual air chambers positioned along the hand. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 7 July 2026

Critics say that the Jones Act harms the shipbuilding industry itself, in that American shipyards are shielded from international competition via its enactment, thus further inflating construction costs. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 2 July 2026

In other cases, hijacked traffic was used for ad fraud, which generates cash by inflating web traffic. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 2 July 2026

This is all Baseball-Reference WAR, too, which might inflate JT Brubaker’s value. — Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 2 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for inflate

• abate
• airfreight
• await
• baseplate
• berate
• birthdate
• birthrate
• bookplate
• borate
• breastplate
• bromate
• casemate

Kids Definition

inflate

verb

in·​flate in-ˈflāt 

inflated; inflating

1

: to swell or fill with air or gas

inflate a balloon

2

: to increase abnormally

inflated prices

inflatable

-ə-bəl

adjective

Medical Definition

inflate

verb

in·​flate in-ˈflāt 

inflated; inflating

transitive verb

: to swell or distend with air or gas

inflate the lungs

intransitive verb

: to become inflated

inflation

in-ˈflā-shən 

noun