Dictionary.com

inflate

[ in-fleyt ]
/ ɪnˈfleɪt /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for: inflate / inflated on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), in·flat·ed, in·flat·ing.
verb (used without object), in·flat·ed, in·flat·ing.
to become inflated.
to increase, especially suddenly and substantially: The $10 subscription has inflated to $25.
QUIZ
ALL IN FAVO(U)R OF THIS BRITISH VS. AMERICAN ENGLISH QUIZ
There's an ocean of difference between the way people speak English in the US vs. the UK. Are your language skills up to the task of telling the difference? Let's find out!
Question 1 of 7
True or false? British English and American English are only different when it comes to slang words.

Origin of inflate

First recorded in 1500–20; from Latin inflātus, past participle of inflāre “to blow on or into, puff out,” equivalent to in- in-2 + flā- blow2 + -tus past participle suffix

synonym study for inflate

1. See expand.

OTHER WORDS FROM inflate

in·flat·er, in·fla·tor, nouno·ver·in·flate, verb (used with object), o·ver·in·flat·ed, o·ver·in·flat·ing.re·in·flate, verb, re·in·flat·ed, re·in·flat·ing.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use inflate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for inflate

inflate
/ (ɪnˈfleɪt) /

verb
to expand or cause to expand by filling with gas or airshe needed to inflate the tyres
(tr) to cause to increase excessively; puff up; swellto inflate one's opinion of oneself
(tr) to cause inflation of (prices, money, etc)
(tr) to raise in spirits; elate
(intr) to undergo economic inflation

Derived forms of inflate

inflatedly, adverbinflatedness, nouninflater or inflator, noun

Word Origin for inflate

C16: from Latin inflāre to blow into, from flāre to blow
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
FEEDBACK