swell
1 of 3verb
ˈswel 
swelled; swelled or swollen ˈswō-lən ; swelling
; swelling intransitive verb
1
a
: to expand (as in size, volume, or numbers) gradually beyond a normal or original limit
the population swelled
b
: to become distended or puffed up
her ankle is badly swollen
c
: to form a bulge or rounded elevation
2
a
: to become filled with pride and arrogance
b
: to behave or speak in a pompous, blustering, or self-important manner
c
: to play the swell
3
: to become distended with emotion
transitive verb
1
: to affect with a powerful or expansive emotion
2
: to increase the size, number, or intensity of
swell the applicant pool
swell
2 of 3noun
1
: a long often massive and crestless wave or succession of waves often continuing beyond or after its cause (such as a gale)
2
a
: the condition of being protuberant
b
: a rounded elevation
3
a
: the act or process of swelling
b(1)
: a gradual increase and decrease of the loudness of a musical sound
also : a sign indicating a swell
(2)
: a device used in an organ for governing loudness
4
a
archaic : an impressive, pompous, or fashionable air or display
b
: a person dressed in the height of fashion
c
: a person of high social position or outstanding competence
swell
3 of 3adjective
1
a
: stylish
b
: socially prominent
2
: excellent —used as a generalized term of enthusiasm
Synonyms
Verb
- accelerate
- accumulate
- appreciate
- balloon
- boom
- build up
- burgeon
- bourgeon
- climb
- enlarge
- escalate
- expand
- gain
- increase
- mount
- multiply
- mushroom
- proliferate
- rise
- roll up
- snowball
- spread
- wax
Noun
- bulge
- bunch
- convexity
- jut
- overhang
- projection
- protrusion
- protuberance
Adjective
- A-OK
- A1
- awesome
- bang-up
- banner
- beautiful
- blue-chip
- blue-ribbon
- boffo
- bonny [chiefly British]
- bonnie
- boss [slang]
- brag
- brave
- bully
- bumper
- capital
- choice
- classic
- cool [slang]
- corking
- crackerjack
- cracking
- dandy
- divine
- dope [slang]
- down [slang]
- dynamite
- excellent
- fab
- fabulous
- famous
- fantabulous [slang]
- fantastic
- fine
- first-class
- first-rate
- first-string
- five-star
- four-star
- frontline
- gangbusters
- gangbuster
- gilt-edged
- gilt-edge
- gone [slang]
- grand
- great
- groovy
- heavenly
- high-class
- hot
- hype [slang]
- immense
- jim-dandy
- keen
- lovely
- marvelous
- marvellous
- mean
- neat
- nifty
- noble
- number one
- No. 1
- numero uno
- out-of-sight [slang]
- par excellence
- peachy
- peachy keen
- phat [slang]
- prime
- primo [slang]
- prize
- prizewinning
- quality
- radical [slang]
- righteous [slang]
- sensational
- slick
- splendid
- stellar
- sterling
- superb
- superior
- superlative
- supernal
- terrific
- tip-top
- top
- top-notch
- top-of-the-line
- top-shelf
- topflight
- topping [chiefly British]
- unsurpassed
- wizard [chiefly British]
- wonderful
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb Her broken ankle swelled badly. Heavy rains swelled the river. The population has swelled in recent years. The economy is swelling at an annual rate of five percent. Immigrants have swelled the population. Noun The storm has brought high winds and heavy swells along the coast. the swell of a pregnant woman's belly a swell in the population the swell of the music Adjective That was a swell party. what a swell time we had at the country club dance See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Joe Mario Pedersen, Orlando Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2022 When fish are removed from their typical environments, these sacs swell up, leading to the innards pushing out through the mouth. Courtney Linder, Popular Mechanics, 17 Aug. 2022 When background singers echo the song’s odd wish (supporting Van’s faith), its meanings swell toward companionship, solidarity, and strength. Armond White, National Review, 25 May 2022 Analysts predict a surge in demand for edtech, with the market expected to swell from $254.8 billion in 2021 to $604.4 billion by 2027. Adam Stone, USA TODAY, 17 Aug. 2022 And when encampments swell to an unmanageable size, the Salt Lake County Health Department has to step in to clear the sites. Blake Apgar, The Salt Lake Tribune, 9 Aug. 2022 Combined with snow melt, the downpour caused the Yellowstone River to swell to near-record levels. Bryan Gallion, NBC News, 17 June 2022 Analyst Terence Flynn and his team predict the market could swell to $54 billion by 2030, with Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly dominating thanks to their deep pipeline of drugs. David Wainer, WSJ, 5 Aug. 2022 The former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, 48, is recovering from what doctors believe is an infected spider bite that caused her entire left hand and write to swell up to the size of a balloon. Katie Campione, PEOPLE.com, 5 Aug. 2021 Eloise Barry, Time, 14 Sep. 2022 In downtown, Figdini’s doors open and the aromas of tomato and basil swell across Washington Street. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 13 June 2022 Actress Kelly Marie Tran, who is Asian American, was the recipient of a swell of online attacks about her ethnicity after she was cast in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2022 Daniel Valle pulled out his target map, feeling a swell of annoyance. Terrence Mccoy, Washington Post, 30 Aug. 2022 According to data from 2020, only 30% of the city’s workforce actually live in Sedona, bringing in a swell of commuters to a city where traffic already is a problem. Lacey Latch, The Arizona Republic, 29 Aug. 2022 But Zembower, who was commission chairman at the time, countered that Seminole was following the lead of Florida and the guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as the state saw a swell of COVID-19 cases and deaths. Martin E. Comas, Orlando Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2022 The start of football season brings with it a massive swell of interest in online sports betting. Xl Media, cleveland, 12 Aug. 2022 Investors increasingly want a say in where their money is going and how it is being used, sending a swell of money into funds that track ESG—or environmental, social and corporate-governance—factors. Angel Au-yeung, WSJ, 3 Aug. 2022 Mike Nolan, Chicago Tribune, 7 Sep. 2022 The weather service also has a beach hazard warning out for a southerly swell starting Saturday afternoon and lasting through Wednesday afternoon, Sweet said. Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2022 Vessels in your lungs swell to several times their normal size so they won’t be crushed by the incredible pressure. James Nestor, Outside Online, 25 Jan. 2012 An attempt to tow the ship with tugboats into open ocean ended when a towline snapped in a36-foot swell late Monday, Port Authority chief executive Philip Holliday said. Rod Mcguirk And Mark Baker, USA TODAY, 5 July 2022 The severe weather has seen the Yellowstone River swell to historic levels, hitting major flood stage in Billings on Tuesday. Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 16 June 2022 Meanwhile, a fake Jedi is a swell idea for a character, but Nanjiani's poser spent more time talking about being a swindler than actually doing any faking. Darren Franich, EW.com, 22 June 2022 Most venture capital goes into software, retail and fintech, which are swell but won’t save the world alone. Nelson Dumas, Forbes, 24 June 2022 And many have seen their portfolios swell in recent years as the stock market has boomed. Tami Luhby And Katie Lobosco, CNN, 28 Mar. 2022 See More
Verb
On Tuesday, odds swell to 60% and then 70% on Wednesday and Thursday. Joe Mario Pedersen, Orlando Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2022 When fish are removed from their typical environments, these sacs swell up, leading to the innards pushing out through the mouth. Courtney Linder, Popular Mechanics, 17 Aug. 2022 When background singers echo the song’s odd wish (supporting Van’s faith), its meanings swell toward companionship, solidarity, and strength. Armond White, National Review, 25 May 2022 Analysts predict a surge in demand for edtech, with the market expected to swell from $254.8 billion in 2021 to $604.4 billion by 2027. Adam Stone, USA TODAY, 17 Aug. 2022 And when encampments swell to an unmanageable size, the Salt Lake County Health Department has to step in to clear the sites. Blake Apgar, The Salt Lake Tribune, 9 Aug. 2022 Combined with snow melt, the downpour caused the Yellowstone River to swell to near-record levels. Bryan Gallion, NBC News, 17 June 2022 Analyst Terence Flynn and his team predict the market could swell to $54 billion by 2030, with Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly dominating thanks to their deep pipeline of drugs. David Wainer, WSJ, 5 Aug. 2022 The former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, 48, is recovering from what doctors believe is an infected spider bite that caused her entire left hand and write to swell up to the size of a balloon. Katie Campione, PEOPLE.com, 5 Aug. 2021 Noun
The move follows a swell in support for republicanism in the Caribbean, which campaigners say is part of a larger reckoning with the legacy of British colonialism and the slave trade in the region. Eloise Barry, Time, 14 Sep. 2022 In downtown, Figdini’s doors open and the aromas of tomato and basil swell across Washington Street. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 13 June 2022 Actress Kelly Marie Tran, who is Asian American, was the recipient of a swell of online attacks about her ethnicity after she was cast in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2022 Daniel Valle pulled out his target map, feeling a swell of annoyance. Terrence Mccoy, Washington Post, 30 Aug. 2022 According to data from 2020, only 30% of the city’s workforce actually live in Sedona, bringing in a swell of commuters to a city where traffic already is a problem. Lacey Latch, The Arizona Republic, 29 Aug. 2022 But Zembower, who was commission chairman at the time, countered that Seminole was following the lead of Florida and the guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as the state saw a swell of COVID-19 cases and deaths. Martin E. Comas, Orlando Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2022 The start of football season brings with it a massive swell of interest in online sports betting. Xl Media, cleveland, 12 Aug. 2022 Investors increasingly want a say in where their money is going and how it is being used, sending a swell of money into funds that track ESG—or environmental, social and corporate-governance—factors. Angel Au-yeung, WSJ, 3 Aug. 2022 Adjective
Orland Park residents and businesses will likely pay higher water rates in the coming years as the village rolls out a big meter replacement program and the village’s share of the costs for improving a regional water supply system swell. Mike Nolan, Chicago Tribune, 7 Sep. 2022 The weather service also has a beach hazard warning out for a southerly swell starting Saturday afternoon and lasting through Wednesday afternoon, Sweet said. Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2022 Vessels in your lungs swell to several times their normal size so they won’t be crushed by the incredible pressure. James Nestor, Outside Online, 25 Jan. 2012 An attempt to tow the ship with tugboats into open ocean ended when a towline snapped in a36-foot swell late Monday, Port Authority chief executive Philip Holliday said. Rod Mcguirk And Mark Baker, USA TODAY, 5 July 2022 The severe weather has seen the Yellowstone River swell to historic levels, hitting major flood stage in Billings on Tuesday. Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 16 June 2022 Meanwhile, a fake Jedi is a swell idea for a character, but Nanjiani's poser spent more time talking about being a swindler than actually doing any faking. Darren Franich, EW.com, 22 June 2022 Most venture capital goes into software, retail and fintech, which are swell but won’t save the world alone. Nelson Dumas, Forbes, 24 June 2022 And many have seen their portfolios swell in recent years as the stock market has boomed. Tami Luhby And Katie Lobosco, CNN, 28 Mar. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English, from Old English swellan; akin to Old High German swellan to swell
First Known Use
Verb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a
Noun
1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adjective
1785, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing swell
Kids Definition
swell 1 of 3
verb
ˈswel
swelled; swelled or swollen
ˈswō-lən
; swelling 1
: to enlarge in an abnormal way usually by pressure from within or by growth
Her sprained ankle is swelling up.
2
: to grow or make bigger (as in size or value)
The town's population swelled.
3
: to stretch upward or outward : bulge The sails swelled in the breeze.
4
: to fill or become filled with emotion
His heart swelled with pride.
swell
2 of 3noun
1
: a gradual increase in size, value, or volume
a swell of laughter
2
: a long rolling wave or series of waves in the open sea
3
: the condition of bulging
the swell of big muscles
4
: a rounded elevation
swell
3 of 3adjective
: excellent, first-rate
We had a swell time.
Medical Definition
swell
intransitive verb
ˈswel
swelled; swelled or swollen ˈswō-lən ; swelling
; swelling : to become distended or puffed up
her ankle swelled
swell 1 of 3
adjective
1
as in great
of the very best kind what a swell time we had at the country club dance Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- great
- terrific
- excellent
- wonderful
- lovely
- awesome
- fantastic
- superb
- beautiful
- stellar
- fine
- fabulous
- prime
- marvelous
- hot
- cracking
- cool
- slick
- neat
- quality
- heavenly
- marvellous
- immense
- splendid
- sensational
- top
- brave
- good
- famous
- divine
- dandy
- peachy
- grand
- gangbusters
- mean
- par excellence
- topping
- sterling
- classic
- groovy
- crackerjack
- corking
- capital
- boffo
- banner
- unsurpassed
- brag
- prize
- choice
- fab
- gone
- dynamite
- superior
- superlative
- exceptional
- gangbuster
- keen
- down
- dope
- noble
- bumper
- prizewinning
- primo
- righteous
- bang-up
- radical
- nifty
- too much
- number one
- hype
- bully
- better
- decent
- bonny
- tip-top
- supernal
- fantabulous
- frontline
- topflight
- boss
- first-rate
- peachy keen
- A-OK
- wizard
- phat
- adequate
- first-class
- satisfactory
- special
- top-notch
- blue-ribbon
- numero uno
- first-string
- tolerable
- acceptable
- high-class
- jim-dandy
- blue-chip
- out-of-sight
- out of this world
- bonnie
- top-shelf
- passable
- all right
- gilt-edge
- five-star
- gilt-edged
- top-of-the-line
- fancy
- premium
- four-star
- okay
- classical
- superfine
- select
- traditional
- No. 1
- A1
- standard
- OK
- high-grade
- high-test
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- poor
- terrible
- rotten
- awful
- wretched
- lousy
- pathetic
- vile
- atrocious
- bad
- execrable
- unsatisfactory
- inferior
- substandard
- mediocre
- middling
- low-grade
- second-rate
- second-class
2
as in happening
being in the latest or current fashion in its heyday as a summer resort, the town was known for its swanky hotels and swell restaurants Synonyms & Similar Words
- happening
- fashionable
- stylish
- cool
- fresh
- chic
- hip
- swish
- sharp
- exclusive
- supercool
- voguish
- modish
- snappy
- smart
- elegant
- trendy
- handsome
- in
- graceful
- a la mode
- funky
- au courant
- dashing
- haute
- kicky
- spruce
- flossy
- saucy
- spiffy
- natty
- à la mode
- swank
- downtown
- sophisticated
- rakish
- sassy
- dapper
- majestic
- edgy
- posh
- gallant
- chichi
- classy
- haut
- ritzy
- doggish
- doggy
- tasteful
- nobby
- foppish
- swanky
- dressy
- refined
- ultrasmart
- dandyish
- ultrahip
- flashy
- understated
- ultrasophisticated
- ultracool
- soigné
- soignée
- dudish
- stately
- ultrachic
- ultraposh
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- out
- unfashionable
- unattractive
- unbecoming
- uncool
- tacky
- cheesy
- outmoded
- wrinkled
- sloppy
- dowdy
- messy
- slovenly
- tasteless
- untidy
- unkempt
- unchic
- trashy
- inelegant
- rumpled
- graceless
- unmodish
- unstylish
- unhandsome
- disheveled
- frowsy
- styleless
- shabby
- dishevelled
- mussy
- frowzy
- sleazy
swell
2 of 3verb
1
as in to rise
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number the club membership has really swelled in recent months Synonyms & Similar Words
- rise
- increase
- accelerate
- expand
- multiply
- intensify
- climb
- surge
- wax
- boom
- balloon
- accumulate
- spread
- proliferate
- escalate
- roll up
- snowball
- enlarge
- gain
- burgeon
- jump
- mushroom
- bourgeon
- mount
- heighten
- appreciate
- skyrocket
- peak
- build up
- inflate
- bulk
- distend
- crest
- crescendo
- rocket
- redouble
- blow up
- puff (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- decrease
- diminish
- recede
- lessen
- wane
- contract
- dwindle
2
as in to increase
to make greater in size, amount, or number more layoffs will swell the ranks of the unemployed to unprecedented levels Synonyms & Similar Words
- increase
- boost
- accelerate
- expand
- augment
- multiply
- raise
- stoke
- intensify
- up
- amplify
- escalate
- extend
- aggrandize
- enhance
- reinforce
- enlarge
- maximize
- strengthen
- hype
- compound
- spike
- build up
- skyrocket
- boom
- pump up
- inflate
- distend
- supersize
- dilate
- heighten
- jump
- add (to)
- stretch
- draw out
- elongate
- develop
- magnify
- lengthen
- blow up
- supplement
- accumulate
- complement
- prolong
- protract
- amass
- bump (up)
- ratchet (up)
- reenforce
- rachet (up)
- collect
- parlay
- beef (up)
- follow up
- flesh (out)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- decrease
- reduce
- diminish
- abate
- lessen
- lower
- downsize
- subtract (from)
- dwindle
- shorten
- curtail
- minify
- compress
- abbreviate
- abridge
- constrict
- contract
- condense
- de-escalate
- retrench
- cut back
3
as in to protrude
to extend outward beyond a usual point at that point the Congo River swells and forms Malebo Pool Synonyms & Similar Words
- protrude
- bulge
- poke
- belly
- stand out
- balloon
- project
- jut
- billow
- overhang
- pouch
- beetle
- pout
- bunch
- stick out
- start
- inflate
- bag
- dome
- pooch
- dilate
- stretch
- lengthen
- extend
- distend
- expand
- elongate
- snowball
- blow up
- mushroom
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- shrink
- compress
- constrict
- contract
- condense
swell
3 of 3noun
1
as in bulge
a part that sticks out from the general mass of something the graceful swell of the bottle was meant to be evocative of the female figure Synonyms & Similar Words
- bulge
- projection
- swelling
- jut
- protuberance
- protrusion
- dome
- overhang
- section
- convexity
- expansion
- portion
- bump
- piece
- block
- knot
- increase
- puff
- lump
- snag
- bunch
- dilatation
- knob
- hill
- mound
- hump
- blob
- enlargement
- escalation
- nub
- gibbosity
- obtrusion
- knurl
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- cavity
- depression
- pit
- well
- hollow
- dent
- hole
- recess
- valley
- basin
- bowl
- dip
- indentation
- crater
- concave
- concavity
- impression
- trough
- dint
- pocket
- groove
- indent
- trench
- furrow
- notch
- indenture
- gouge
- dimple
2
as in wave
a moving ridge on the surface of water huge swells overwhelmed the tiny craft Synonyms & Similar Words
- wave
- surge
- billow
- tsunami
- surf
- curl
- ripple
- whitecap
- sea(s)
- ground swell
- breaker
- tidal wave
- riffle
- comber
- roller
- wavelet
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of swell are amplify, dilate, distend, expand, and inflate. While all these words mean "to increase in size or volume," swell implies gradual expansion beyond a thing's original or normal limits.
the bureaucracy swelled to unmanageable proportions
The synonyms amplify and swell are sometimes interchangeable, but amplify implies the extension or enlargement of something inadequate.
amplify the statement with details
While the synonyms dilate and swell are close in meaning, dilate applies especially to expansion of circumference.
dilated pupils
The words distend and swell are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, distend implies outward extension caused by pressure from within.
a distended abdomen
Although the words expand and swell have much in common, expand may apply regardless of the manner of increase (such as growth, unfolding, addition of parts).
a business that expands every year
While in some cases nearly identical to swell, inflate implies expanding by introduction of air or something insubstantial and suggests a vulnerability to sudden collapse.
an inflated ego