swell1 verbswell2 nounswell3 adjective
swellswell1 /swel/ ●○○ verb (past tense swelled, past participle swollen /ˈswəʊlən $ ˈswoʊ-/) 
WORD ORIGINswell1
Origin:
Old English swellanVERB TABLE
swell
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | swell |
| he, she, it | swells | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | swelled |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have swollen |
| he, she, it | has swollen | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had swollen |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will swell |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have swollen |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am swelling |
| he, she, it | is swelling | |
| you, we, they | are swelling | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was swelling |
| you, we, they | were swelling | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been swelling |
| he, she, it | has been swelling | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been swelling |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be swelling |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been swelling |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Put some ice on your knee before it swells up.
- The doors always swell in the winter.
- The river was swelling rapidly with the constant rain.
- I was a big guy in those days and my legs swelled up.
- If it is physically restrained from swelling when it wants to swell, very considerable pressures are built up.
- It is a star in serious trouble, with bright bloated lobes of gas swelling off it, announcing its death throes.
- Opposite were the elegant backs of Victorian houses, their grey bricks swelling into bow-windows, the roof-tiles glistening like wet flint.
- When the granulomas infiltrate the root of the lungs, nearby lymph nodes swell and produce the X-ray abnormality your doctor saw.
Longman Language Activatorto become bigger
to become bigger: · The hole in the ozone layer is getting bigger all the time.· More workers were taken on as the organization got bigger.· Teachers are reporting higher stress levels as class sizes get bigger.get bigger and bigger (=continue to become bigger): · The cloud of dust and debris was getting bigger and bigger as the wind grew stronger.
use this especially about amounts, organizations, and places: · Mark's business grew rapidly in the first year.· Tandem's annual profits grew by 24% in one year.· Tokyo has grown a lot over the last ten years.
to become bigger in size or amount. If a business, organization, or system expands , it becomes bigger and more successful: · Metals expand when they are heated.· The universe is constantly expanding.· Medical insurance companies expanded rapidly during the 1980s.· The sports and leisure market is expanding more quickly than ever before.
if a part of your body swells up , it becomes larger than usual, especially because of an illness or injury: · I dropped a brick on my foot, and it swelled up like a balloon.· His face had swollen up because of the operation.
if something such as a piece of clothing stretches , it gets bigger and changes its shape especially because it has been pulled: · Your jeans will stretch a little once you start wearing them.· The elastic stretches so that the shoe can be slipped on and off.· This fabric will stretch if you wash it in hot water.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
The money from the exhibition should swell the hospital’s coffers a little.
(=increase the number of people in a particular situation) Large numbers of refugees have swollen the ranks of the unemployed.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Large numbers of refugees have swollen the ranks of the unemployed. The money from the exhibition should swell the hospital’s coffers a little. (=start to feel very proud)· He would swell with pride as he discussed his department’s achievements.
(=containing more water than usual)· After the rains, the river was swollen.· The river was high and running quite swiftly.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· Josie's hand slipped on the grater and a bright bead of blood swelled out of her forefinger.· The land seascape had an abandoned quality and a largeness that made the heart swell out to fill it.· Different kinds of reactions start, and the star swells out to become a Red Giant, as Betelgeux is today.· Gradually the balloon swelled out and rose into the air, until finally the basket just touched the ground.
· I was a big guy in those days and my legs swelled up.· Then we saw the alligator swell up.· Its bite produces a worm which swells up the blood vessels, causing ulcers and, in the worst cases, blindness.· If a blood vessel in your leg were to rupture, the leg would just swell up.· She says she didn't notice at first but her arm began to swell up later.· A friend of mine got stung by a bee and swelled up and died.· My oldest daughter, poor girl, swelled up like an elephant.· There were flies now-a low droning buzz that swelled up from somewhere deep inside the village.
NOUN· Her lips were swollen against her pale face and the sight of her distress seemed to infuriate him more.· His lip was swollen, his face discolored.
· The price on the Roses' heads seems to swell almost daily.· The right side of her body is badly bruised and her head and eye are swollen.
· Her heart seemed to swell in her chest - she could not get her breath!· The land seascape had an abandoned quality and a largeness that made the heart swell out to fill it.· Very occasionally my heart swells at the rounded figure of the 8 inside my jeans.· When she saw that the new bride was Snow White, her evil heart swelled with passion and burst.· His heart swelled at the very look of her; he was thrilled to see her eating like a stevedore.
· Sometimes, with the parasitic cases, elephantiasis had set in, and the swollen legs were particularly horrible.· Her head was swirling, her mind was racing, her ankle was swelling and her left leg was numb.· Usually less serious, but just as annoying, are swollen ankles and leg cramps that can strike.· Flights in close quarters can also lead to back pain, swollen ankles, leg cramps and psychological distress.
· I had bruises and a swollen lip.
· Higher insurance costs will make it harder to afford coverage, swelling the numbers of uninsured.· But despite the attraction of Page 3 girls handing out t-shirts, only 9 fans joined in to swell the numbers.· It ended in the 1930s when another depression swelled the numbers of itinerant workers.
· The youthful immigrants who swelled the population were attracted not only from the Vale of York but from far beyond.
· So fierce was the rain that it swelled the river until its banks burst and the fields were flooded.· It was said that the rains had swollen a river to a point where it was threatening a bridge on the line.· Water drained off fields throughout the day, swelling rivers.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY
1size [intransitive] (also swell up) to become larger and rounder than normal – used especially about parts of the body: - Does the kitchen midden swell with pride when filled with undifferentiated garbage?
- He swells with pride at the thought.
Her ankle was already starting to swell. The window frame had swollen shut.2amount/number [intransitive, transitive] to increase in amount or numberswell to The crowd swelled to around 10,000. The river was swollen with melted snow.swell the ranks/numbers of something (=increase the number of people in a particular situation) Large numbers of refugees have swollen the ranks of the unemployed.3swell with pride/anger etc to feel very proud, angry etc: His heart swelled with pride as he watched his daughter collect her prize.4shape [intransitive, transitive] (also swell out) to curve or make something curve: The wind swelled the sails.5sound [intransitive] literary to become louder: Music swelled around us.6sea [intransitive] to move suddenly and powerfully upwards → groundswellswell1 verbswell2 nounswell3 adjective
swellswell2 noun EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- the swell of her breasts
- The scandal has produced swells of protest against him.
- A heavy swell came at them out of the thick darkness.
- A strong north-westerly wind built up a fifteen-foot swell which came rolling down on us, crests breaking.
- One such dawn breaks at Ocean Beach and the swell is up.
- The swell had built steadily over the past half-hour.
- The eternal westerly swell rolled lazily across our wake and wiped out the last trace of our intrusion.
- The launch, however, behaved like a well-trained work-horse and merely rose and fell with the swell.
WORD SETS
a cappella, adjectiveaccelerando, adjectiveaccompaniment, nounaccompanist, nounaccompany, verbaccordion, nounacid house, nounacoustic, adjectiveadagio, nounallegro, nounandante, adjectiveandante, nounanthem, nounaria, nounarpeggio, nounarr., arrange, verbarrangement, nounatonal, adjectiveback, verbbacking, nounbagpipes, nounbalalaika, nounballad, nounband, nounbandmaster, nounbandsman, nounbandstand, nounbanjo, nounbar, nounbarbershop, nounbaritone, nounbarrel organ, nounbass, nounbass, adjectivebass clef, nounbass guitar, nounbassist, nounbassoon, nounbaton, nounbeat, verbbeat, nounbebop, nounblast, verbblow, verbbluegrass, nounbolero, nounbongos, nounboogie, nounbootleg, nounbow, nounbow, verbbrass band, nounbreve, nounbridge, nounbugle, nounbusk, verbC, nouncabaret, nouncadence, nouncadenza, nouncalypso, nounC & W, canon, nouncantata, nouncanticle, nouncantor, nouncarillon, nouncarol, nouncarol, verbcastanets, nouncatchy, adjectivecellist, nouncello, nounchamber music, nounchamber orchestra, nounchant, verbchant, nounchoir, nounchoirboy, nounchoral, adjectivechorale, nounchord, nounchorister, nounchorus, nounChristmas carol, nounchromatic, adjectiveclapper, nounclarinet, nounclavichord, nounclef, nouncoda, nouncoloratura, nouncombo, nouncompose, verbcomposer, nounconcert, nounconcertgoer, nounconcertina, nounconcertmaster, nounconcerto, nounconduct, verbconductor, nounconsonant, adjectiveconsort, nouncontinuo, nouncontrabass, nouncontralto, nouncor anglais, nouncornet, nouncounterpoint, nouncountertenor, nouncountry and western, nouncountry music, nouncover, verbcover, nouncrescendo, nouncroon, verbcrotchet, nouncut, verbcymbal, nounD, noundamper, noundance, noundance band, noundemo, noundescant, noundidgeridoo, noundiminuendo, noundirge, noundisc jockey, noundiscord, noundiscordant, adjectivedissonance, nounditty, nounDixieland, noundo, noundoh, noundominant, noundouble bass, noundownbeat, noundrum, noundrum, verbdrumbeat, noundrum kit, noundrum major, noundrummer, noundrumming, noundrum-roll, noundrumstick, noundub, nounduet, noundulcimer, nounduo, nounear, nouneasy listening, nouneighth note, nounelevator music, nounencore, interjectionensemble, nounexpression, nounf., fa, nounfalsetto, nounfanfare, nounfantasia, nounfiddle, nounfiddler, nounfife, nounfinale, nounfingering, nounflat, adjectiveflat, nounflat, adverbflautist, nounfloor show, nounflourish, nounflute, nounfolk, nounfolk, adjectivefolk music, nounforte, nounforte, adjectivefortissimo, adjectiveforty-five, nounFrench horn, nounfret, nounfugue, nounfunk, nounfunky, adjectiveg, gamelan, noungig, noungig, verbglee club, nounglide, nounglockenspiel, noungong, noungospel, noungrand, noungrand opera, noungrand piano, nounGregorian chant, noungroup, nounguitar, nounhalf note, nounhalf step, nounhammer, nounhard rock, nounharmonic, adjectiveharmonica, nounharmonium, nounharmonize, verbharmony, nounharp, nounharpsichord, nounheavy metal, nounhigh, adjectivehigh-pitched, adjectivehip hop, nounhorn, nounhot, adjectivehouse music, nounhurdy-gurdy, nounhymn, nounimpressionism, nounimpressionist, nounimprovise, verbincidental music, nouninstrument, nouninstrumental, adjectiveinstrumental, nouninstrumentalist, nouninstrumentation, nouninterlude, nouninterval, nounjam, verbjam session, nounjazz, nounjazzy, adjectivejig, nounjingle, nounjungle, nounkaraoke, nounkazoo, nounkettledrum, nounkey, nounkeyboard, nounkey signature, nounla, nounlament, nounlargo, adjectiveleader, nounledger line, nounlegato, adjectiveleitmotif, nounlento, adjectivelibrettist, nounlibretto, nounlilt, nounlullaby, nounlute, nounlyre, nounlyric, adjectivelyrical, adjectivelyricism, nounlyricist, nounmadrigal, nounmaestro, nounmajor, adjectivemale-voice choir, nounmandolin, nounmaracas, nounmarch, nounmarching band, nounmariachi, nounmarimba, nounmasterclass, nounmedley, nounmellifluous, adjectivemelodic, adjectivemelodious, adjectivemelody, nounmetronome, nounmezzo-soprano, nounmi, nounmiddle C, nounminim, nounminor, adjectiveminstrel, nounminuet, nounmodal, adjectivemode, nounmoderato, adjectivemodulate, verbmolto, adverbmood music, nounmotif, nounmouth organ, nounmouthpiece, nounmovement, nounmusic, nounmusical, adjectivemusical, nounmusical instrument, nounmusically, adverbmusician, nounmusicianship, nounmusicology, nounmusic stand, nounmute, verbmute, nounMuzak, nounnational anthem, nounnatural, adjectivenatural, nounNegro spiritual, nounnocturne, nounnote, nounnumber, nounnumber one, nounnursery rhyme, nounoboe, nounoctave, nounoctet, nounoff-key, adjectiveone-man band, nounopera, nounopera house, nounoperetta, nounopus, nounoratorio, nounorchestra, nounorchestral, adjectiveorchestra pit, nounorchestrate, verborgan, nounorgan grinder, nounorganist, nounovertone, nounoverture, nounp., panpipes, nounpart, nounpart-song, nounpause, nounpeal, verbpedal, nounpeg, nounpenny whistle, nounpercussion, nounperfect pitch, nounPhilharmonic, adjectivephrase, nounphrase, verbphrasing, nounpianissimo, adjectivepianist, nounpiano, nounpiano, adjectivepianola, nounpiccolo, nounpick, verbpick, nounpipe, verbpiped music, nounpiper, nounpitch, nounpitch, verbpizzicato, nounplainchant, nounplainsong, nounplay, verbplayer, nounplayer piano, nounplectrum, nounpluck, verbpolyphony, nounpop, nounpop group, nounpop music, nounpop star, nounprelude, nounpresto, adjectivepresto, nounprima donna, nounproduction number, nounpromenade concert, nounpsaltery, nounpunk, nounquarter note, nounquartet, nounquaver, nounquintet, nounR & B, nounrag, nounraga, nounragga, nounragtime, nounrange, nounrap, nounrap, verbrapper, nounrecital, nounrecitative, nounrecord, nounrecorder, nounreed, nounrefrain, nounreggae, nounregister, nounremaster, verbrendering, nounrendition, nounrepeat, nounrequest, nounrequiem, nounresonator, nounrest, nounrhapsody, nounrhythm, nounrhythm and blues, nounrhythm section, nounriff, nounroadie, nounroad manager, nounrock, nounrock and roll, nounrock music, nounrock 'n' roll, nounrondo, nounrostrum, nounround, nounrumba, nounrun, nounsalsa, nounsamba, nounsaxophone, nounsaxophonist, nounscale, nounscat, nounscherzo, nounscore, nounscore, verbsemibreve, nounsemiquaver, nounsemitone, nounseptet, nounserenade, nounserenade, verbset, nounsetting, nounsextet, nounshanty, nounsharp, adverbsharp, nounsheet music, nounsight-read, verbsignature tune, nounsing, verbsinger, nounsinger-songwriter, nounsingle, nounsitar, nounsixteenth note, nounska, nounskiffle, nounslide, nounslur, verbslur, nounsnare drum, nounso, nounsol, nounsol-fa, nounsolo, adjectivesolo, nounsoloist, nounsonata, nounsong, nounsongbook, nounsongster, nounsongwriter, nounsoprano, nounsoprano, adjectivesoul, nounsoundtrack, nounspiritual, nounsqueezebox, nounstaccato, adverbstaff, nounstandard, nounStar-Spangled Banner, the, stave, nounsteel band, nounsteel guitar, nounstep, nounstring, verbstringed instrument, nounstrum, verbstudy, nounsuite, nounswell, nounswing, nounsymphony, nounsyncopated, adjectivesyncopation, nounsynthesis, nounsynthesize, verbsynthesizer, nountabla, nountabor, nountambourine, nountechno, nountempo, nountenor, nountenor, adjectiveTex-Mex, adjectivetheme, nounthrash, nounthrenody, nounthrob, verbti, nountimbrel, nountime, nountime signature, nountimpani, nountoccata, nountom-tom, nountonal, adjectivetonality, nountone, nountone-deaf, adjectivetone poem, nountonic, nountootle, verbtrack, nountranscribe, verbtranspose, verbtreble, nountreble, adjectivetreble clef, nountremolo, nountriangle, nountrill, nountrombone, nountrumpet, nountuba, nountune, nountune, verbtuneful, adjectivetuneless, adjectivetuning fork, nountuning peg, nounukulele, noununaccompanied, adjectiveupright piano, nounvalve, nounvariation, nounverse, nounvibes, nounvibraphone, nounvibrato, nounviola, nounviolin, nounviolinist, nounvirginals, nounvirtuoso, nounvivace, adjectivevocal, adjectivevocal, nounvocalist, nounvoice, nounvoluntary, nounwaltz, nounwarble, verbwarbler, nounwhole note, nounwind instrument, nounwoodwind, nounxylophone, nounyodel, verbyodel, nounzither, nounzydeco, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY The sea wasn’t rough, but there was a heavy swell (=large movements of the water).COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES The money from the exhibition should swell the hospital’s coffers a little.
1[singular] the way the sea moves up and down: The sea wasn’t rough, but there was a heavy swell (=large movements of the water). The money from the exhibition should swell the hospital’s coffers a little. (=start to feel very proud)· He would swell with pride as he discussed his department’s achievements.
(=containing more water than usual)· After the rains, the river was swollen.· The river was high and running quite swiftly.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· A heavy swell came at them out of the thick darkness.· The timing in the heavy swell had to be carefully judged.· A heavy ground swell was encountered off Tiumpan Head.
The sea wasn’t rough, but there was a heavy swell (=large movements of the water).2[singular] a situation in which something increases in number or amountswell of the growing swell of anti-government feeling a swell of pride3[singular] an increase in sound level, especially in music SYN crescendo4[singular] the roundness or curved shape of something: the firm swell of her breasts5[countable] old-fashioned a fashionable or important personswell1 verbswell2 nounswell3 adjective
swellswell3 adjective American English old-fashioned EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
- But Dobler said he really was a swell guy.
- By noon, the swell at the Bay had built to eighteen to twenty feet.
- If you can avoid heroin addiction and motorcycle accidents, you might have a swell time.
- It was a swell place to raise onions.
- The ground dipped between two minor cliffs, and the architect must have figured they would make swell windbreaks.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES The money from the exhibition should swell the hospital’s coffers a little.
very good SYN great: The money from the exhibition should swell the hospital’s coffers a little. (=start to feel very proud)· He would swell with pride as he discussed his department’s achievements.
(=containing more water than usual)· After the rains, the river was swollen.· The river was high and running quite swiftly.
You look swell!