Meaning of swell in English

Table of contents

Verb
swell
Etymology
Old English swellan (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)
Definitions
1. increase in size, magnitude, number, or intensity
Examples
- « The music swelled to a crescendo »
2. become filled with pride, arrogance, or anger
Examples
- « The mother was swelling with importance when she spoke of her son »
3. expand abnormally
Examples
- « The bellies of the starving children are swelling »
Derived terms
4. as of feelings and thoughts, or other ephemeral things
Examples
- « Strong emotions welled up »
- « Smoke swelled from it »
5. come up
Examples
- « Tears well in her eyes »
6. cause to become swollen
Examples
- « The water swells the wood »
Classifying Adjective
swell
Definitions
1. very good
Examples
- « he did a bully job »
- « a neat sports car »
- « had a great time at the party »
- « you look simply smashing »
Synonyms
- good
Noun
swell
Definitions
1. the undulating movement of the surface of the open sea
2. a rounded elevation (especially one on an ocean floor)
3. a crescendo followed by a decrescendo
4. a man who is much concerned with his dress and appearance
Derived terms
- dandify

Pronunciation