inflateinflate /ɪnˈfleɪt/ verb 1
[intransitive, transitive] if you inflate something, or if it inflates, it fills with air or gas so that it becomes larger SYN blow up OPP deflate: It only takes a minute to inflate the mattress. The raft inflates automatically.2[transitive] to make a feeling, opinion, or idea become stronger than it should OPP deflate: All the attention he’s had has inflated his ego.3[transitive] to say that a number, amount, price, etc. is larger than it really is, often to deceive someone SYN exaggerate: It became clear that the corporation was inflating its profits.4[intransitive, transitive] social studies, economics to increase in price, or to make something increase in price, often in an unfair or unreasonable way OPP deflate: Hotels often inflate their prices in the summer. [Origin: 1400–1500 Latin, past participle of inflare, from flare to blow]
[intransitive, transitive] if you inflate something, or if it inflates, it fills with air or gas so that it becomes larger SYN blow up OPP deflate: It only takes a minute to inflate the mattress. The raft inflates automatically.2[transitive] to make a feeling, opinion, or idea become stronger than it should OPP deflate: All the attention he’s had has inflated his ego.3[transitive] to say that a number, amount, price, etc. is larger than it really is, often to deceive someone SYN exaggerate: It became clear that the corporation was inflating its profits.4[intransitive, transitive] social studies, economics to increase in price, or to make something increase in price, often in an unfair or unreasonable way OPP deflate: Hotels often inflate their prices in the summer. [Origin: 1400–1500 Latin, past participle of inflare, from flare to blow]