swell

1 of 3

verb

swelled; swelled or swollen ˈswō-lən How to pronounce swell (audio) ; 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
b
: socially prominent
2
: excellent
used as a generalized term of enthusiasm
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
Here in this city near the Illinois border, where the summers swell with tourists from Chicagoland, the love-hate relationship with Wisconsin’s southern neighbor is strong. Kelly Meyerhofer, Journal Sentinel, 23 Sep. 2024 Allergies can swell the airways, putting people with asthma at a higher risk of an attack and subsequent hospitalization. Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 21 Sep. 2024
Noun
But on some nights, the 16- to 22-foot swells crashing down on the deck meant that none of the crew got any sleep. Claire Turrell, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Sep. 2024 Jen Murphy splits her time between Colorado and Maui and now relies on The Powder Buoy to track swell and snow. Jen Murphy, Outside Online, 15 Sep. 2024
Adjective
One such example of a brand that got its start at Violet Grey is Augustinus Bader, which has seen sales swell in record time. James Manso, WWD, 16 Sep. 2024 Simply mix 2 tablespoons (tbsp) of chia seeds with ¼ cup of milk, shake well, and refrigerate until the seeds absorb the liquid and swell. Lauren O'Connor, Ms, Health, 2 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for swell 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'swell.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of swell was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near swell

Cite this Entry

“Swell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swell. Accessed 8 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

swell

1 of 3 verb
swelled; swelled or swollen ˈswō-lən How to pronounce swell (audio) ; 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
swelled; swelled or swollen ˈswō-lən How to pronounce swell (audio) ; swelling
: to become distended or puffed up
her ankle swelled

More from Merriam-Webster on swell

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!