dwell

American  

[dwel] / dwɛl /

verb (used without object)

dwells, present (3rd person singular) dwelt, past participle, past dwelled, past participle, past dwelling present participle

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

Derived Forms

• dweller
  noun

Inflected Forms

Participles

• dwelling
  present
• dwelled
  past
• dwelt
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• dwell
  simple
• dwells
  simple
• have dwelled
  perfect
• have dwelt
  perfect
• has dwelled
  perfect
• has dwelt
  perfect
• am dwelling
  progressive
• are dwelling
  progressive
• is dwelling
  progressive
• have been dwelling
  perfect progressive
• has been dwelling
  perfect progressive

Past

• dwelled
  simple
• dwelt
  simple
• had dwelled
  perfect
• had dwelt
  perfect
• was dwelling
  progressive
• were dwelling
  progressive
• had been dwelling
  perfect progressive

Future

• will dwell
  simple
• will have dwelled
  perfect
• will have dwelt
  perfect
• will be dwelling
  progressive
• will have been dwelling
  perfect progressive

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

According to Dwell, nature will continue to play a large role in home decor for 2022.

From Seattle Times • May 31, 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 for a bit on the current flurry of stupid slugging and panicky anachronism, when we all know that anachronism is what gets the Change Winds out of control.

From The Big Time by Leiber, Fritz

Related Words

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