Definition of swell
swelled
;swelled
orswollen
play \ˈswō-lən\;swelling
intransitive verb
1a : to expand (as in size, volume, or numbers) gradually beyond a normal or original limit the population swelledb : to become distended or puffed up her ankle is badly swollenc : to form a bulge or rounded elevation
2a : to become filled with pride and arroganceb : to behave or speak in a pompous, blustering, or self-important mannerc : 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
People Are Reading
Examples of swell in a Sentence
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.
Recent Examples of swell from the Web
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But experts and NATO officials say Moscow is more likely to conduct a series of engagements that will swell those ranks by tens of thousands.
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At curtain, some 200 police officers posted themselves inside the theater at Astor Place, with 75 more outside, where the crowd soon swelled to more than 10,000 people.
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Turkish news reports say the military contingent could swell to 1,000 troops, and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to visit Doha in the coming days.
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There are still places in the world that are quiet, and places that swell with music.
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Their membership has slowly swelled in the past three years, though persecution and widespread public derision keep them mostly underground.
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Beneath the waves, swelling levels of carbon dioxide could be boosting some species to ecological dominance while dooming others.
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These same people swelled with pride to see their children, including me, graduate from high school and even college.
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A. Anti-inflammatory medications are used for many conditions including pain and stiffness from arthritis, swelling from acute injuries, and even menstrual cramps.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'swell.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of swell
Middle English, from Old English swellan; akin to Old High German swellan to swell
Synonym Discussion of swell
swell
Definition of swell
1 : a long often massive and crestless wave or succession of waves often continuing beyond or after its cause (such as a gale)
2a : the condition of being protuberantb : a rounded elevation
3a : the act or process of swellingb (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
4a archaic : an impressive, pompous, or fashionable air or displayb : a person dressed in the height of fashionc : a person of high social position or outstanding competence
Examples of swell in a Sentence
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
Recent Examples of swell from the Web
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The National Weather Service Center in Mobile said dangerous surf conditions will exist through early this evening, with swells of up 8 feet.
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Of course, those nuptial plans tend to snowball while the guest list swells.
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Out past the rough surf, past the breaking swells, into the dark night of the sea.
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The provincial government warned the public to stay away from the beaches, with sea swells of 12 meters (39 feet) expected.
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In thick fog and heavy swells, the USS Revenge became ensnared in a reef off Watch Hill in Westerly in 1811.
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This constraint was fine, for fans of Rudy Vallee or besotted swells forgetting themselves at lavish Tom and Daisy-ish parties.
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Their contributions to Sibelius’ symphony were invaluable, nowhere more so than in the majestic swells and climaxes of the final movement.
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As the nation’s elderly population swells, more older Americans are visiting the emergency room, which can be an overcrowded, disorienting and even traumatic place.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'swell.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of swell
1606
swell
Definition of swell
Examples of swell in a Sentence
That was a swell party.
what a swell time we had at the country club dance
Recent Examples of swell from the Web
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Time of day for buying shoes also matters because our feet swell different amounts as the day goes on.
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Solspot.com says that the surf will be in the 2’ to 3’ range in South County well into the weekend, and 3’ to 4’ in North County, which will feel the affects of a south swell.
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Or maybe Greg Schiano and Kevin Wilson are just swell guys who didn't want to force Ohio State to break the bank on their behalf.
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Enter Brian, a swell guy who draws her out of her shell.
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Their transformation is helped by Shawn Walsh’s swell costumes and wigs.
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The explanation, according to Satyen Mehta, a money manager at Neon Liberty Capital Management who has researched the phenomenon, is that populists often create short-term stimulus that supports growth even as the nations’ debt burdens swell.
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The swell shark is covered with small, bright green fluorescent spots over much of its body (those spots appear light beige under white light).
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'swell.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of swell
1785
SWELL Defined for English Language Learners
swell
playDefinition of swell for English Language Learners
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: to become larger than normal
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: to make (something, such as a river) larger or more full than normal
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: to increase in size or number
swell
Definition of swell for English Language Learners
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: an upward and downward movement of the water in the sea
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: the curved or rounded shape of something
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: an increase in size or number
swell
Definition of swell for English Language Learners
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: very good
SWELL Defined for Kids
Definition of swell for Students
swelled
;swelled
orswollen
\ˈswō-lən\;swelling
1 : to enlarge in an abnormal way usually by pressure from within or by growth Her sprained ankle is swelling up.
2 : to grow or make bigger (as in size or value) The town's population swelled.
3 : to stretch upward or outward : bulge The sails swelled in the breeze.
4 : to fill or become filled with emotion His heart swelled with pride.
Definition of swell for Students
1 : a gradual increase in size, value, or volume a swell of laughter
2 : a long rolling wave or series of waves in the open sea
3 : the condition of bulging the swell of big muscles
4 : a rounded elevation
Medical Dictionary
Learn More about swell
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See words that rhyme with swell Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for swell Spanish Central: Translation of swell Nglish: Translation of swell for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of swell for Arabic speakers
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