51³Ô¹Ï

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View synonyms for

swell

[swel]

verb (used without object)

swelled, swollen, swelled, swelling. 
  1. to grow in bulk, as by the absorption of moisture or the processes of growth.

    Synonyms: ,
    Antonyms:
  2. Pathology.Ìýto increase abnormally in size, as by inflation, distention, accumulation of fluids, or the like.

    Her ankles swelled from standing.

  3. to rise in waves, as the sea.

  4. to well up, as a spring or as tears.

  5. to bulge out, as a sail or the middle of a cask.

    Synonyms:
  6. to grow in amount, degree, force, etc.

  7. to increase gradually in volume or intensity, as sound.

    The music swelled.

  8. to arise and grow within one, as a feeling or emotion.

  9. to become puffed up with pride.



verb (used with object)

swelled, swollen, swelled, swelling. 
  1. to cause to grow in bulk.

    Synonyms: ,
  2. to cause to increase gradually in loudness.

    to swell a musical tone.

  3. to cause (a thing) to bulge out or be protuberant.

  4. to increase in amount, degree, force, etc.

    Antonyms: ,
  5. to affect with a strong, expansive emotion.

  6. to puff up with pride.

noun

  1. the act of swelling or the condition of being swollen.

  2. inflation or distention.

    Synonyms:
  3. a protuberant part.

    Synonyms:
  4. a wave, especially when long and unbroken, or a series of such waves.

    Synonyms:
  5. a gradually rising elevation of the land.

  6. an increase in amount, degree, force, etc.

  7. a gradual increase in loudness of sound.

  8. Music.Ìý

    1. a gradual increase (crescendo) followed by a gradual decrease (diminuendo) in loudness or force of musical sound.

    2. the sign (< >) for indicating this.

    3. a device, as in an organ, by which the loudness of tones may be varied.

  9. a swelling of emotion within one.

  10. Slang.Ìý

    1. a fashionably dressed person; dandy.

    2. a socially prominent person.

adjective

Informal.
  1. (of things) stylish; elegant.

    a swell hotel.

  2. (of persons) fashionably dressed or socially prominent.

    Synonyms:
  3. first-rate; fine.

    a swell party.

    Synonyms:

swell

/ ²õ·ÉÉ›±ô /

verb

  1. to grow or cause to grow in size, esp as a result of internal pressure Compare contract contract

  2. to expand or cause to expand at a particular point or above the surrounding level; protrude

  3. to grow or cause to grow in size, amount, intensity, or degree

    the party is swelling with new recruits

  4. to puff or be puffed up with pride or another emotion

  5. (intr) (of seas or lakes) to rise in waves

  6. (intr) to well up or overflow

  7. (tr) to make (a musical phrase) increase gradually in volume and then diminish

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged†2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

    1. the undulating movement of the surface of the open sea

    2. a succession of waves or a single large wave

  1. a swelling or being swollen; expansion

  2. an increase in quantity or degree; inflation

  3. a bulge; protuberance

  4. a gentle hill

  5. informalÌýa person very fashionably dressed

  6. informalÌýa man of high social or political standing

  7. music a crescendo followed by an immediate diminuendo

  8. Also called: swell organ.Ìýmusic

    1. a set of pipes on an organ housed in a box ( swell box ) fitted with a shutter operated by a pedal, which can be opened or closed to control the volume

    2. the manual on an organ controlling this Compare choir great

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged†2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. informalÌýstylish or grand

  2. slangÌýexcellent; first-class

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged†2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other 51³Ô¹Ï Forms

  • reswell verb
  • underswell noun
  • unswelled adjective
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51³Ô¹Ï History and Origins

Origin of swell1

First recorded before 900; Middle English swellen (verb), Old English swellan; cognate with Dutch zwellen, German schwellen, Old Norse svella; akin to Gothic ufswalleins ‼õ°ù¾±»å±ðâ€
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51³Ô¹Ï History and Origins

Origin of swell1

Old English swellan; related to Old Norse svella, Old Frisian swella, German schwellen
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

On the same March 3 morning, the county asked for help identifying a wisp-thin elderly man with a grizzled beard and swollen black eye who’d been found in Monterey Park’s Edison Trails Park.

From

He had 40 different injuries on his body, including a swollen brain and numerous trauma injuries to his head and abdomen.

From

Along the coast, a different danger is lurking — a south swell bringing with it elevated surf up to 6 feet high and rip currents.

From

Elsewhere, Nottingham Forest's qualification for Europe next season is great for fans, even if the Conference League may not necessarily swell their accounts.

From

You’ve got to check the Surfline app and kind of know the seasons as well, like how winter brings north swells and summer brings south swells.

From

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