Related Searches
on Ask.com
swells - 2 dictionary results
swell
[swel]
verb, swelled, swol⋅len or swelled, swell⋅ing, noun, adjective –verb (used without object)
| 1. | to grow in bulk, as by the absorption of moisture or the processes of growth. |
| 2. | Pathology. to 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. |
| 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)
| 10. | to cause to grow in bulk. |
| 11. | to cause to increase gradually in loudness: to swell a musical tone. |
| 12. | to cause (a thing) to bulge out or be protuberant. |
| 13. | to increase in amount, degree, force, etc. |
| 14. | to affect with a strong, expansive emotion. |
| 15. | to puff up with pride. |
–noun
| 16. | the act of swelling or the condition of being swollen. |
| 17. | inflation or distention. |
| 18. | a protuberant part. |
| 19. | a wave, esp. when long and unbroken, or a series of such waves. |
| 20. | a gradually rising elevation of the land. |
| 21. | an increase in amount, degree, force, etc. |
| 22. | a gradual increase in loudness of sound. |
| 23. | Music.
|
| 24. | a swelling of emotion within one. |
| 25. | Slang.
|
–adjective Informal.
| 26. | (of things) stylish; elegant: a swell hotel. |
| 27. | (of persons) fashionably dressed or socially prominent. |
| 28. | first-rate; fine: a swell party. |
Origin:
bef. 900; ME swellen (v.), OE swellan; c. D zwellen, G schwellen, ON svella; akin to Goth ufswalleins pride
bef. 900; ME swellen (v.), OE swellan; c. D zwellen, G schwellen, ON svella; akin to Goth ufswalleins pride

Synonyms:
1. distend, expand. 5. protrude. 10. inflate, expand. 17. swelling. 18. bulge. 19. billow. 27, 28. grand.
1. distend, expand. 5. protrude. 10. inflate, expand. 17. swelling. 18. bulge. 19. billow. 27, 28. grand.
Antonyms:
1. contract. 13. decrease, diminish.
1. contract. 13. decrease, diminish.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source
|
Link To swells
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2009, Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.

