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1. Dictionary

   swell

   /swɛl/

   verb

   • 1. (especially of a part of the body) become larger or rounder in size, typically as a result of an accumulation of fluid: "her bruised knee was already swelling up" Similar expandbulgedistendbecome distendedinflatebecome inflateddilatebecome bloatedbloatblow up/outpuff upballoonfattenfill outtumefyintumesceOpposite shrinkcontract
   • ▪ be intensely affected or filled with a particular emotion: "she felt herself swell with pride" Similar be filledbe full ofbe burstingbrimoverflowbe overcome
   • 2. become or make greater in intensity, number, amount, or volume: "the low murmur swelled to a roar" Similar grow largergrow greatergrowenlargeincreaseexpandrisewaxmountescalateacceleratestep upaccumulatesurgemultiplyproliferatesnowballmushroomskyrocketmake largermake greaterenlargeincreaseincrease in size/scopeexpandaugmentboostbuild upacceleratestep upmultiplytop upgrow loudgrow louderbecome louderamplifyintensifyheightenOpposite decreasewanedecreasequieten

   noun

   • 1. a full or gently rounded shape or form: "the soft swell of her breast"
   • 2. a gradual increase in amount, intensity, or volume: "a huge swell in the popularity of one-day cricket" Similar increaserisegrowthexpansionescalationaccelerationsurgestepping-upproliferationsnowballingmushroomingskyrocketingOpposite decreasedip
   • ▪ a welling up of a feeling: "a swell of pride swept over George"
   • 3. a slow, regular movement of the sea in rolling waves that do not break: "there was a heavy swell" Similar billowbillowingundulationsurgesurgingwaverollrollingbulgebulgingrushdelugemovement
   • 4. a mechanism for producing a crescendo or diminuendo in an organ or harmonium.
   • 5. a fashionable or stylish person of wealth or high social position: informal, dated "a crowd of city swells"

   adjective

   • 1. excellent; very good: informal, dated North American "you're looking swell"
   • ▪ smart; fashionable: informal, dated North American "a swell boulevard"

   adverb

   • 1. excellently; very well: informal, dated North American "everything was just going swell"

   Word Origin Old Englishswellan (verb), of Germanic origin; related to German schwellen. Current senses of the noun date from the early 16th century; the informal adjectival use derives from noun swell (sense 5 of the noun) (late 18th century).

   Scrabble Points: 8

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2. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishSWELL | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   SWELL definition: 1. to become larger and rounder than usual; to (cause to) increase in size or amount: 2. If music…. Learn more.

3. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › swellSwell Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › swell

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   The meaning of SWELL is to expand (as in size, volume, or numbers) gradually beyond a normal or original limit. How to use swell in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Swell.

4. www.dictionary.com › browse › swellSWELL Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › swell

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   to grow in bulk, as by the absorption of moisture or the processes of growth. Synonyms: expand, distend. Antonyms: contract. Pathology. to increase abnormally in size, as by inflation, distention, accumulation of fluids, or the like: Her ankles swelled from standing.

5. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionarySWELL | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

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   SWELL meaning: 1. to become larger and rounder than usual; to (cause to) increase in size or amount: 2. If music…. Learn more.

6. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › englishswell verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

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   [transitive, intransitive] to increase or make something increase in number or size. swell something (to something) Last year's profits were swelled by a fall in production costs. Crowds of commuters were swelled by Christmas shoppers. We are looking for more volunteers to swell the ranks (= increase the number) of those already helping.

7. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishSWELL definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   6 days ago · A swell is the regular movement of waves up and down in the open sea. We bobbed gently up and down on the swell of the incoming tide. Synonyms: wave , rise , surge , billow More Synonyms of swell

8. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › swellSwell - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › swell

   You can use the word swell to describe what happens to an injured body part, like a black eye that swells up, or in a figurative way, to describe a feeling of fullness, like when your heart swells with pride at your sister's big music performance.