Word Meaning

swell definition and meaning

v. i. To grow larger; to dilate or extend the exterior surface or dimensions, by matter added within, or by expansion of the inclosed substance; as, the legs swell in dropsy; a bruised part swells; a bladder swells by inflation.
v. i. To increase in size or extent by any addition; to increase in volume or force; as, a river swells, and overflows its banks; sounds swell or diminish.
v. i. To rise or be driven into waves or billows; to heave; as, in tempest, the ocean swells into waves.
v. i. To be puffed up or bloated; as, to swell with pride.
v. i. To be inflated; to belly; as, the sails swell.
v. i. To be turgid, bombastic, or extravagant; as, swelling words; a swelling style.
v. i. To protuberate; to bulge out; as, a cask swells in the middle.
v. i. To be elated; to rise arrogantly.
v. i. To grow upon the view; to become larger; to expand.
v. i. To become larger in amount; as, many little debts added, swell to a great amount.
v. i. To act in a pompous, ostentatious, or arrogant manner; to strut; to look big.
v. t. To increase the size, bulk, or dimensions of; to cause to rise, dilate, or increase; as, rains and dissolving snow swell the rivers in spring; immigration swells the population.
v. t. To aggravate; to heighten.
v. t. To raise to arrogance; to puff up; to inflate; as, to be swelled with pride or haughtiness.
v. t. To augment gradually in force or loudness, as the sound of a note.
n. The act of swelling.
n. Gradual increase.
n. Increase or augmentation in bulk; protuberance.
n. Increase in height; elevation; rise.
n. Increase of force, intensity, or volume of sound.
n. Increase of power in style, or of rhetorical force.
n. A gradual ascent, or rounded elevation, of land; as, an extensive plain abounding with little swells.
n. A wave, or billow; especially, a succession of large waves; the roll of the sea after a storm; as, a heavy swell sets into the harbor.
n. A gradual increase and decrease of the volume of sound; the crescendo and diminuendo combined; -- generally indicated by the sign.
n. A showy, dashing person; a dandy.
a. Having the characteristics of a person of rank and importance; showy; dandified; distinguished; as, a swell person; a swell neighborhood.

Crossword clues for swell

- Blow up
- Bulge out
- burgeon
- Distend
- Grow in bulk
- Grow larger
- Heavy surf
- Inflate
- Puff up
- Rising waves
- Super! Just dandy!