inflated

American  

[in-fley-tid] / ɪnˈfleɪ tɪd /

adjective

1. distended with air or gas; swollen.

2. puffed up, as with pride.

3. turgid or bombastic.

   his inflated prose.

4. unduly increased in level.

   inflated costs.

5. Economics. unduly expanded in amount, value, or size; characterized by inflation.

6. Botany. hollow and enlarged or swelled out.

   inflated perianth.

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Other Word Forms

• inflatedly
  adverb
• inflatedness
  noun
• underinflated
  adjective
• uninflated
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of inflated

First recorded in 1645–55; inflate + -ed ²

Explanation

If it's puffed up and overrated, it's probably inflated — a simple adjective that means blown out of proportion or exaggerated. Think of a balloon. You blow and blow, and it gets bigger and bigger. Sometimes if you blow too much it takes on a distorted shape, or even explodes. Now use that same imagery, but swap the balloon for someone's ego or the price of U2 concert tickets. Both personalities and prices can get inflated beyond reasonableness — the personalities with pretentious hot air and the prices with unnecessary cost.

Example Sentences

Inflated prices are only part of the story.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 13, 2026

Inflated capital-gains tax liabilities are also depressing existing-home sales.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 26, 2025

Inflated streaming figures for high-profile performers would therefore diminish the proportion of money available for other artists.

From Barron's • Nov. 4, 2025

Inflated like a ball as it bobbed supine, the puffer looked as if it were playing dead.

From Seattle Times • May 4, 2022

Inflated by his successes on the board, his ego had begun to shut out other people.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

Related Words

• bloated
• magnified
• overblown
• swollen