inflate

[in-fleyt]

verb (used with object)

inflated, inflating 

1. to distend; swell or puff out; dilate.

   The king cobra inflates its hood.

   Antonyms: deflate

2. to cause to expand or distend with air or gas.

   to inflate a balloon.

3. to puff up with pride, satisfaction, etc.

4. to elate.

5. Economics.,  to expand (money, prices, an economy, etc.) unduly in amount, value, or size; affect with inflation.

verb (used without object)

inflated, inflating 

1. to become inflated.

2. to increase, especially suddenly and substantially.

   The $10 subscription has inflated to $25.

inflate

/ ɪnˈfleɪt /

verb

1. to expand or cause to expand by filling with gas or air

   she needed to inflate the tyres

2. (tr) to cause to increase excessively; puff up; swell

   to inflate one's opinion of oneself

3. (tr) to cause inflation of (prices, money, etc)

4. (tr) to raise in spirits; elate

5. (intr) to undergo economic inflation

Other Word Forms

• inflatedly adverb
• inflater noun
• inflatedness noun
• inflator noun
• overinflate verb (used with object)
• reinflate verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of inflate¹

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- blow ² + -tus past participle suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of inflate¹

C16: from Latin inflāre to blow into, from flāre to blow

Synonym Study

See expand.

Example Sentences

“The market is saying, ‘You guys are going to inflate away the debt, not now but in the long term,’” Brooks said.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Critics say the internal rate of return can be inflated by the use of “subscription credit lines,” which allow funds to borrow money against investors’ committed capital in order to smooth out the capital-call timing.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

In East Rafah, East Khan Younis, and parts of northern Gaza, people can access medical care and buy their food at markets at normal prices, rather than at the inflated rates in Hamas-controlled territory.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Meanwhile, the bubble might keep inflating until it is tested by the cold reality of fundamentals.

Read more on Barron's

It claims the firm forced Apple and Samsung to pay inflated prices and licensing fees for essential handset components, which then pushed up the cost of those smartphones for consumers.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• augment 
• bloat 
• boost 
• enlarge 
• escalate 
• exaggerate 
• expand 
• magnify 
• maximize 
• overestimate 
• pad 
• widen