inflate Hear it!

inflate definition

in·flate (in flāt′)

transitive verb inflated -·flat′ed, inflating -·flat′·ing

  1. to blow full or swell out as with air or gas; distend; expand; dilate
  2. to raise in spirits; make proud or elated
  3. to increase or raise beyond what is normal or valid
  4. to cause inflation of (money, credit, etc.)

Etymology: < L inflatus, pp. of inflare, to blow into, inflate < in-, in + flare, to blow

intransitive verb

to become inflated; swell

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Comments
Improve this definition.
Do you have more to add? Share your linguistic knowledge or observation.
/Register to save your comments.