swell Hear it!

swell Definition

swell (swel)

intransitive verb swelled, swelled or swol′·len, swell′·ing

  1. to increase in volume or become larger as a result of pressure from within; expand; dilate
  2. to become larger at a particular point; curve out; bulge; protrude
  3. to extend beyond or above the normal or surrounding level
  4. to form swells, or large waves: said of the sea
  5. to be or become filled (with pride, indignation, self-importance, etc.)
  6. to increase within a person, as a feeling the anger swelling in him
  7. to increase in size, force, intensity, degree, etc. membership swelled to a thousand
  8. to increase in volume or loudness

Etymology: ME swellen < OE swellan; akin to Ger schwellen, ON svella

transitive verb

to cause to swell; specif.,

  1. to cause to increase in size, volume, extent, degree, etc.
  2. to cause to bulge or protrude
  3. to fill with pride, indignation, etc.; inflate; puff
  4. to cause (a tone, chord, etc.) to increase in loudness

noun

  1. a part that swells, bulge; curve; protuberance; specif.,
    1. a large wave that moves steadily without breaking
    2. a piece of rising ground; rounded hill or slope
  2. a swelling or being swollen
  3. an increase in size, amount, extent, degree, etc.
  4. Informal
    1. a person who is strikingly stylish, esp. in dress
    2. a person of social prominence
  5. an increase in loudness of sound
  6. Music
    1. a gradual increase in volume (crescendo), usually followed by a gradual decrease (decrescendo)
    2. a sign (<>) indicating this
    3. a device for controlling the loudness of tones, as in an organ

adjective

  1. Informal stylish; very fashionable
  2. Slang first-rate; excellent: a generalized epithet of approval

Etymology: ME swelle, tumid, proud

swell* Synonyms

swell*

modif.

first-rate, desirable, fine; see excellent.

swell Synonyms

swell

v.

dilate, expand, distend, increase, enlarge, grow, grow larger, puff up, be inflated, become larger, bulge, balloon, puff, inflate, bulge out, blister, plump, round out, fill out, tumefy, become tumid, become swollen. See syn. study at expand.expand.

swell Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • eyelid: In contact with the eye, it may cause swelling of the eyelid and conjunctivitis.
  • abdomen: The symptoms include severe stomach pain and tenderness, nausea and vomiting, swelling of the abdomen and wind, fever and muscle aches.
  • gland: Symptoms begin with a headache and fever for a day or two, followed by swelling of the salivary glands.
  • ankle: The most obvious symptom is usually swelling of the ankles and legs.
  • lining: The swelling of the nasal lining that produces a runny nose can continue to actually block the nose.
  • limb: The hypertrophy of the skin, skin folds and swelling of the limbs is often referred to as elephantitis.

Object

  • redness: Swelling, redness, and tenderness along a part of the vein are the usual symptoms.
  • coffer: Nice to know that it helps to swell the vast coffers of the richest billionaires in the land.
  • rank: In the 1920s Chinese arrive to swell the ranks of outsiders working on the Fiji Islands.
  • stiffness: It can lead to pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of coordination in the relevant region of the body.
  • inflammation: Check: BOTH EYES for signs of swelling, inflammation or discharge.
  • tide: But there is no mistaking the drive of the swelling tide.

Preposition: with

pride: My chest swells with pride at being found to be too ' far out ' for these people.

Adjective modifier

  • Atlantic: Our peninsula picks up Atlantic swells through a " surf window " between the SW of the UK and Ireland.
  • westerly: It is also popular with swimmers, surfers and body boarders due to the protective westerly swells.
  • moderate: The boat was quite small and, in the moderate swell, viewing conditions were often extremely difficult.
  • heavy: A deserted stone jetty swung out into a small bay with several offshore rocks over which a heavy swell pounded.
  • gentle: Seen from High Pike itself it's just a gentle swell in the moorland a mile or so to the southwest.
  • slight: Garen kept as low in the water as he could, letting the slight swell move him up and down.

Noun used with modifier

ocean: The boat is constructed to an Australian design, with a solid hull, designed to ride out big southern ocean swells.