verb (used without object),swelled,swol·len or swelled,swell·ing.
to grow in bulk, as by the absorption of moisture or the processes of growth.
Pathology. 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.
to 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),swelled,swol·len or swelled,swell·ing.
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.
a protuberant part.
a wave, especially when long and unbroken, or a series of such waves.
a 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.
adjectiveInformal.
(of things) stylish; elegant: a swell hotel.
(of persons) fashionably dressed or socially prominent.
first-rate; fine: a swell party.
Origin of swell
before 900; Middle English swellen (v.), Old English swellan; cognate with Dutch zwellen,German schwellen,Old Norse svella; akin to Gothic ufswalleins pride
SYNONYMS FOR swell
1 distend, expand.
5 protrude.
10 inflate, expand.
17 swelling.
18 bulge.
19 billow.
27, 28 grand.
SEE SYNONYMS FOR swell ON THESAURUS.COM
ANTONYMS FOR swell
1 contract.
13 decrease, diminish.
SEE ANTONYMS FOR swell ON THESAURUS.COM
OTHER WORDS FROM swell
re·swell,verb,re·swelled,re·swelled or re·swol·len,re·swell·ing.un·der·swell,verb (used without object),un·der·swelled,un·der·swelled or un·der·swol·len,un·der·swell·ing.un·der·swell,nounun·swelled,adjective
Words nearby swell
sweet woodruff, sweet wormwood, sweetwort, sweir, Swelinck, swell, swell box, swelled head, swelled-headed, swelled head, have a, swellfish
Some side effects are expected and manageable, such as redness or swelling at the site of the injection, fever, aching muscles or joints, headaches or fatigue.
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Year-round breaks, like the perfect swells at Praia de Santa Bárbara, attract surfers looking to avoid mainland Portugal’s crowds.