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
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?

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