swell

1 of 3

verb

ˈswel 

swelled; swelled or swollen ˈswō-lən  ; swelling

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

swell

2 of 3

noun

1

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

swell

3 of 3

adjective

1

a

: stylish

b

: socially prominent

2

: excellent

—used as a generalized term of enthusiasm

Synonyms

Verb

• increase
• rise
• accelerate
• expand

Noun

• projection
• bulge
• section
• dome
• protuberance
• protrusion
• overhang
• swelling
• convexity

Adjective

• great
• excellent
• terrific
• wonderful
• lovely
• awesome
• fantastic
• superb
• beautiful
• stellar
• fabulous
• fine
• marvellous
• prime
• marvelous
• hot
• cool [slang]

Choose the Right Synonym for swell

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 swell in a Sentence

Verb

Her broken ankle swelled badly.

Heavy rains swelled the river.

The population has swelled in recent years.

The economy is swelling at an annual rate of five percent.

Immigrants have swelled the population.

Noun

The storm has brought high winds and heavy swells along the coast.

the swell of a pregnant woman's belly

a swell in the population

the swell of the music

Adjective

That was a swell party.

what a swell time we had at the country club dance

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

After the game, there seemed to be bruising and swelling around it. —Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 6 July 2025

The common symptoms include swelling of lymph nodes, fever, tiredness, night sweats, weight loss, and itchy skin. —Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 July 2025

Noun

Like all flash floods, this record-breaking water swell resulted from a large amount of rain that drenched one area over a relatively short amount of time. —Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 7 July 2025

The handle had a gentle palm swell (a little bulge) that was very comfortable to hold. —Jesse Raub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 July 2025

Adjective

Get a pulse from locals on swell conditions at Roca Bruja, where right- and left-hand waves, and the chance to ride a chute, are the draw. —AFAR Media, 8 July 2025

Villa Vie is currently building a custom walkway to link the ship and tender boats to reduce movement from waves and swell. —Francesca Street, CNN Money, 26 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1785, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing swell

• ground swell
• swell box
• swell-front

Rhymes for swell

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

Kids Definition

swell

1 of 3 verb

ˈswel 

swelled; swelled or swollen ˈswō-lən  ; swelling

1

a

: to expand (as in size, volume, or numbers) gradually beyond a normal or original limit

rivers swollen by rain

the population swelled

b

: to become abnormally enlarged or puffed up

the sprained ankle swelled badly

c

: to form a bulge or lump

2

: to fill or become filled with pride

3

: to fill or become filled with emotion

his heart was swollen with jealousy

swell

2 of 3 noun

1

a

: a rounded lump

b

: the condition of bulging

2

: a long rolling wave or series of waves in the open sea

3

: a gradual increase and decrease of the loudness of a musical sound

also : a sign marking a swell

4

: a fashionably dressed person

swell

3 of 3 adjective

: very good : excellent

Medical Definition

swell

intransitive verb

ˈswel 

swelled; swelled or swollen ˈswō-lən  ; swelling

: to become distended or puffed up

her ankle swelled