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swell
[swel]
verb (used without object)
to grow in bulk, as by the absorption of moisture or the processes of growth.
Antonyms: contractPathology., to increase abnormally in size, as by inflation, distention, accumulation of fluids, or the like.
Her ankles swelled from standing.
to rise in waves, as the sea.
to well up, as a spring or as tears.
to bulge out, as a sail or the middle of a cask.
Synonyms: protrudeto grow in amount, degree, force, etc.
to increase gradually in volume or intensity, as sound.
The music swelled.
to arise and grow within one, as a feeling or emotion.
to become puffed up with pride.
verb (used with object)
to cause to grow in bulk.
to cause to increase gradually in loudness.
to swell a musical tone.
to cause (a thing) to bulge out or be protuberant.
to increase in amount, degree, force, etc.
to affect with a strong, expansive emotion.
to puff up with pride.
noun
the act of swelling or the condition of being swollen.
inflation or distention.
Synonyms: swellinga protuberant part.
Synonyms: bulgea wave, especially when long and unbroken, or a series of such waves.
Synonyms: billowa gradually rising elevation of the land.
an increase in amount, degree, force, etc.
a gradual increase in loudness of sound.
Music.
a gradual increase (crescendo) followed by a gradual decrease (diminuendo) in loudness or force of musical sound.
the sign (< >) for indicating this.
a device, as in an organ, by which the loudness of tones may be varied.
a swelling of emotion within one.
Slang.
a fashionably dressed person; dandy.
a socially prominent person.
swell
/ swɛl /
verb
to grow or cause to grow in size, esp as a result of internal pressure Compare contract contract
to expand or cause to expand at a particular point or above the surrounding level; protrude
to grow or cause to grow in size, amount, intensity, or degree
the party is swelling with new recruits
to puff or be puffed up with pride or another emotion
(intr) (of seas or lakes) to rise in waves
(intr) to well up or overflow
(tr) to make (a musical phrase) increase gradually in volume and then diminish
noun
the undulating movement of the surface of the open sea
a succession of waves or a single large wave
a swelling or being swollen; expansion
an increase in quantity or degree; inflation
a bulge; protuberance
a gentle hill
informal, a person very fashionably dressed
informal, a man of high social or political standing
music a crescendo followed by an immediate diminuendo
Also called: swell organ. music
adjective
informal, stylish or grand
slang, excellent; first-class
Other Word Forms
- reswell verb
- underswell noun
- unswelled adjective
Word History and Origins
Origin of swell1
Word History and Origins
Origin of swell1
Example Sentences
Limited hiring has prompted the ranks of people without work more than six months to swell this year, though their numbers dipped a bit in September.
Sue’s notoriety continued to swell after appearing on the popular internet talk show “Subway Takes” with the standout zinger: “Gossip is socially useful, especially to women and the marginalized.”
The startup forecasts its operating losses to swell to about $74 billion—or roughly three-fourths of revenue—in 2028, thanks to ballooning spending on computing costs.
Moreover, Japan’s borrowing costs also look set to swell as Takaichi is expected to unveil a major stimulus package this week after she was elected on a manifesto promising a large fiscal spending package.
The pea-sized lump had got larger, and her breast was red and swollen.
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