Swell
verb
To become bigger or rounder.
Her ankle swelled after she fell.
noun
A slow increase.
There has been a swell in support for the movement.
adjective
Very good.
That's a swell idea!
Often appears as...
- swell guy
- swell job
Usage tips
Informal, Approving
Colloquial
noun
A long wave in the sea that moves constantly without breaking.
The boat bobbed up and down on the swell.
verb
If music or noise swells, it gradually becomes louder.
The roar of the crowd swelled as the team took the field.
noun
A wealthy or high-class person.
He was considered a swell in his community.
Usage tips
Informal, Neutral
Colloquial
verb
To become bigger or rounder.
Her ankle swelled after she fell.
noun
A slow increase.
There has been a swell in support for the movement.
adjective
Very good.
That's a swell idea!
Often appears as...
- swell guy
- swell job
Usage tips
Informal, Approving
Colloquial
noun
A long wave in the sea that moves constantly without breaking.
The boat bobbed up and down on the swell.
verb
If music or noise swells, it gradually becomes louder.
The roar of the crowd swelled as the team took the field.
noun
A wealthy or high-class person.
He was considered a swell in his community.
Usage tips
Informal, Neutral
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 6
Pro Tip 1/3Physical Change
Used to describe something increasing in size due to pressure, injury, or growth.
Her cheeks swelled with air as she blew into the balloon.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Always Visible
The swelling might not be externally apparent but can refer to internal enlargement.
After eating too much, his stomach felt swollen.
Pro Tip 3/3Metaphorical Use
Can metaphorically describe an increase in emotions or feelings.
Pride swelled in her chest as she watched her students perform.
Pro Tip 1/3Physical Change
Used to describe something increasing in size due to pressure, injury, or growth.
Her cheeks swelled with air as she blew into the balloon.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Always Visible
The swelling might not be externally apparent but can refer to internal enlargement.
After eating too much, his stomach felt swollen.
Pro Tip 3/3Metaphorical Use
Can metaphorically describe an increase in emotions or feelings.
Pride swelled in her chest as she watched her students perform.
Pro Tip 1/3Physical Change
Used to describe something increasing in size due to pressure, injury, or growth.
Her cheeks swelled with air as she blew into the balloon.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Always Visible
The swelling might not be externally apparent but can refer to internal enlargement.
After eating too much, his stomach felt swollen.
Pro Tip 3/3Metaphorical Use
Can metaphorically describe an increase in emotions or feelings.
Pride swelled in her chest as she watched her students perform.
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Video examples
The reality constructed...
whole world but don't forget the faces covered by the waving hands those faces would push through the fresh flesh in the African void they too wanted to see history that ran past them and the air was swollen for not all the people could fit into it leg of the crowd was also for the other
Video examples
Why do we itch? - Emma...
That compound, which we're mildly allergic to, triggers the release of histamine, a chemical that makes our capillaries swell. This enables increased blood flow, which helpfully accelerates the body's immune response to this perceived threat. That explains the swelling,
Video examples
How does the thyroid...
In response, cells grow listless and metabolism slows. People with hypothyroidism see symptoms in weight gain, sluggishness, sensitivity to cold, swollen joints and feeling low. Luckily, there are medical treatments that can help trigger the thyroid's activities again,
Video examples
How did Polynesian...
canoe builders, priests, chanters, and hula dancers. Navigators were keen observers of the natural world. They were abundantly familiar with trade wind-generated ocean swells, which typically flow northeast or southeast. By day, navigators could identify direction
Video examples
What would happen if you...
causing cells to swell. In severe cases, the kidneys can't keep up with the resulting volumes of dilute urine. Water intoxication then occurs, possibly causing headache, vomiting, and, in rare instances, seizures or death. But that's a pretty extreme situation.
Video examples
Greg Long: Big Wave...
bringing your mind and body into momentary sync, with the rhythm and power of the swells, and for brief moment, seemingly defying nature, and successfully riding one of those waves. For me, there's no other feeling in the world like it.
Video examples
Why do people have...
but if you get allergies, this explosion of new life probably inspires more dread than joy. Step outside, and within minutes, you're sneezing and congested. Your nose is running, your eyes are swollen and watery, your throat is itchy.
Video examples
Chris Burkard: The joy...
and I could literally feel the blood trying to leave my hands, feet and face, and rush to protect my vital organs. It was the coldest I've ever been. But even with swollen lips, sunken eyes, and cheeks flushed red,
Video examples
Why do your knuckles...
like the importance of eating spinach. The jury's still out on that one. As for knuckle-cracking, one study suggests that all that joint stretching and bubble bursting can cause your hands to swell
Video examples
Disgusting! Blue Whale...
hidden by the swell and filming is next to impossible spirit board for joining the cameraman this would have to be about as hard as wildlife filmmaking gets bouncing up and down on a boat
Video examples
The reality constructed...
whole world but don't forget the faces covered by the waving hands those faces would push through the fresh flesh in the African void they too wanted to see history that ran past them and the air was swollen for not all the people could fit into it leg of the crowd was also for the other
Video examples
Why do we itch? - Emma...
That compound, which we're mildly allergic to, triggers the release of histamine, a chemical that makes our capillaries swell. This enables increased blood flow, which helpfully accelerates the body's immune response to this perceived threat. That explains the swelling,
Video examples
How does the thyroid...
In response, cells grow listless and metabolism slows. People with hypothyroidism see symptoms in weight gain, sluggishness, sensitivity to cold, swollen joints and feeling low. Luckily, there are medical treatments that can help trigger the thyroid's activities again,
Video examples
How did Polynesian...
canoe builders, priests, chanters, and hula dancers. Navigators were keen observers of the natural world. They were abundantly familiar with trade wind-generated ocean swells, which typically flow northeast or southeast. By day, navigators could identify direction
Video examples
What would happen if you...
causing cells to swell. In severe cases, the kidneys can't keep up with the resulting volumes of dilute urine. Water intoxication then occurs, possibly causing headache, vomiting, and, in rare instances, seizures or death. But that's a pretty extreme situation.
Video examples
Greg Long: Big Wave...
bringing your mind and body into momentary sync, with the rhythm and power of the swells, and for brief moment, seemingly defying nature, and successfully riding one of those waves. For me, there's no other feeling in the world like it.
Video examples
Why do people have...
but if you get allergies, this explosion of new life probably inspires more dread than joy. Step outside, and within minutes, you're sneezing and congested. Your nose is running, your eyes are swollen and watery, your throat is itchy.
Video examples
Chris Burkard: The joy...
and I could literally feel the blood trying to leave my hands, feet and face, and rush to protect my vital organs. It was the coldest I've ever been. But even with swollen lips, sunken eyes, and cheeks flushed red,
Video examples
Why do your knuckles...
like the importance of eating spinach. The jury's still out on that one. As for knuckle-cracking, one study suggests that all that joint stretching and bubble bursting can cause your hands to swell
Video examples
Disgusting! Blue Whale...
hidden by the swell and filming is next to impossible spirit board for joining the cameraman this would have to be about as hard as wildlife filmmaking gets bouncing up and down on a boat
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Bez
English Dancer
I had COVID a week before they made the announcement. I couldn't breathe and I couldn't tell if it was my heart or my lungs. I got to the hospital and I said, 'I've been having this heart attack for three days' and they plugged me into the machines and everything and I had a swollen heart and a virus. I really seriously thought I was going to die.
Quote examples
Louis C. K.
American Comedian
If you're a cartoon character or most TV characters, sure, you'll fight, because the punches are juicy-sounding and they don't leave marks. But in real life, if somebody punches you in the eye, it doesn't make any noise and your eye is swollen for, like, six months. It's a nightmare to get punched in the eye.
Quote examples
Patrisse Cullors
American Activist
#BlackLivesMatter was born online but now lives in street actions, in conversations in our homes, and in the dignity swelling in our hearts. That is the power of the open Internet, and it is why we must do everything we can to protect black voices. Our lives depend on it.
Quote examples
John Hanning Speke
British Soldier
Twins are usually hailed with delight, because they swell the power of the family, though in some instances they are put to death.
Quote examples
Woodrow Wilson
American President
When I give a man an office, I watch him carefully to see whether he is swelling or growing.
Quote examples
J. D. Salinger
American Novelist
If a girl looks swell when she meets you, who gives a damn if she's late? Nobody.
Quote examples
Eva Herzigova
Czechoslovakian Model
I don't think I ever had a swollen head: I remember where I come from.
Quote examples
Mao Zedong
Chinese Leader
Swollen in head, weak in legs, sharp in tongue but empty in belly.
Quote examples
Matthew Green
British Poet
Talk of unusual swell of waist In maid of honor loosely laced.
Quote examples
Sholom Aleichem
Russian Writer
The rich swell up with pride, the poor from hunger.
Quote examples
Bez
English Dancer
I had COVID a week before they made the announcement. I couldn't breathe and I couldn't tell if it was my heart or my lungs. I got to the hospital and I said, 'I've been having this heart attack for three days' and they plugged me into the machines and everything and I had a swollen heart and a virus. I really seriously thought I was going to die.
Quote examples
Louis C. K.
American Comedian
If you're a cartoon character or most TV characters, sure, you'll fight, because the punches are juicy-sounding and they don't leave marks. But in real life, if somebody punches you in the eye, it doesn't make any noise and your eye is swollen for, like, six months. It's a nightmare to get punched in the eye.
Quote examples
Patrisse Cullors
American Activist
#BlackLivesMatter was born online but now lives in street actions, in conversations in our homes, and in the dignity swelling in our hearts. That is the power of the open Internet, and it is why we must do everything we can to protect black voices. Our lives depend on it.
Quote examples
John Hanning Speke
British Soldier
Twins are usually hailed with delight, because they swell the power of the family, though in some instances they are put to death.
Quote examples
Woodrow Wilson
American President
When I give a man an office, I watch him carefully to see whether he is swelling or growing.
Quote examples
J. D. Salinger
American Novelist
If a girl looks swell when she meets you, who gives a damn if she's late? Nobody.
Quote examples
Eva Herzigova
Czechoslovakian Model
I don't think I ever had a swollen head: I remember where I come from.
Quote examples
Mao Zedong
Chinese Leader
Swollen in head, weak in legs, sharp in tongue but empty in belly.
Quote examples
Matthew Green
British Poet
Talk of unusual swell of waist In maid of honor loosely laced.
Quote examples
Sholom Aleichem
Russian Writer
The rich swell up with pride, the poor from hunger.
Example 1 of 10
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