Swell Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)
Britannica Dictionary definition of SWELL
1
[no object]
:
to become larger than normal
- Her broken ankle swelled badly.
— often + up
- The bee sting made my whole arm swell up.
2
[+ object]
:
to make (something, such as a river) larger or more full than normal
- Heavy rains swelled the river.
3
:
to increase in size or number
[no object]
- The population has swelled/swollen in recent years.
- The economy is swelling at an annual rate of five percent.
[+ object]
- Immigrants have swelled the population.
4
[no object]
:
to become louder
- The music swelled.
5
:
to cause (something, such as a sail) to stretch outward and become full
[+ object]
- The breeze swelled (out) the sails.
[no object]
- The sails swelled (out) in the breeze.
6
[no object]
:
to feel an emotion strongly
— + with
- His heart swelled with pride. [=he felt very proud]
a swelled head
— see 1head
- a swollen ankle/gland
- a swollen river
Britannica Dictionary definition of SWELL
1
[count]
:
an upward and downward movement of the water in the sea
- The storm has brought high winds and heavy swells along the coast.
2
[noncount]
:
the curved or rounded shape of something
- the swell of a pregnant woman's belly
3
[singular]
a
:
an increase in size or number
- a swell in the population
b
:
an increase in loudness
- the swell of the music
c
:
an increase in the strength of an emotion
- a swell of enthusiasm/fear/hope
— see also groundswell
4
[count]
informal + old-fashioned
:
a socially important or fashionable person
- a party for a bunch of swells
Britannica Dictionary definition of SWELL
US, informal + old-fashioned
:
very good
:
- That was a swell party.
- He's a swell guy.