dwell

American  

[dwel] / dwɛl /

verb (used without object)

dwelt, dwelled, dwelling

1. to live or stay as a permanent resident; reside.

2. to live or continue in a given condition or state.

   to dwell in happiness.

3. to linger over, emphasize, or ponder in thought, speech, or writing (often followed by on orupon ).

   to dwell on a particular point in an argument.

4. (of a moving tool or machine part) to be motionless for a certain interval during operation.

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noun

1. Machinery.

   1. a flat or cylindrical area on a cam for maintaining a follower in a certain position during part of a cycle.

   2. a period in a cycle in the operation of a machine or engine during which a given part remains motionless.

dwell British  

/ dwɛl /

verb

1. formal to live as a permanent resident

2. to live (in a specified state)

   to dwell in poverty

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noun

1. a regular pause in the operation of a machine

2. a flat or constant-radius portion on a linear or rotary cam enabling the cam follower to remain static for a brief time

Other Word Forms

• dweller
  noun
• outdwell
  verb (used with object)
• predwell
  verb (used without object)

Etymology

Origin of dwell

First recorded before 900; Middle English dwellen “to lead astray; stun; abide,” Old English dwellan “to lead or go astray; hinder”; cognate with Old Norse dvelja

Explanation

To dwell in a home is to live in it. To dwell on something — usually something bad, like a failed romance or terrible service in a restaurant — is to think or speak about it at great length. Dwell has been part of the English language for over 1,000 years. The definition of the word has evolved considerably since its first recorded use in the 9th century when Old English dwellan meant "lead astray" or "hinder." If you constantly dwell on the bad things in life, it could hinder you from seeing the good or lead you astray to the negative. If you keep complaining, your friends might tell you to stop dwelling on it or, if they're really annoyed, they'll say, "Get over it!"

Example Sentences

It was featured in Dwell magazine when it was offered for sale in 2024.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 7, 2026

And Joy Dunlop, a BBC Weather presenter and Gaelic singer, will sing Gaelic psalm And I Shall Dwell in God's House, which was composed by Paul Mealor for the service.

From BBC • Jul. 4, 2023

“Our Dwell homeowners chose to purchase our uber-efficient homes for a reason, so why not provide them access to clean energy for their cars?”

From Seattle Times • Nov. 10, 2022

“I am a big fan of vintage,” says Cheryl Luckett, designer and owner of Dwell by Cheryl in Charlotte.

From Washington Post • Feb. 16, 2022

Dwell, dwel, v.i. to abide in a place: to remain: to rest the attention: to continue long.—v.t.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various

Related Words

• bide
• exist
• hole up
• inhabit
• reside
• squat