swell β to become larger and rounder than usual; to increase in size or amount
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to become larger and rounder than usual; to increase in size or amount
Pronunciation (IPA): /swel/
Example Sentences
- My ego swells every time someone compliments my terrible cooking.
- The number of students skipping class tends to swell before holidays.
- His head swelled so much from the compliments that he couldn't fit through the door.
swell
VERB[/swel/]
to become larger and rounder than usual; to increase in size or amount
to become larger and rounder than usual; to increase in size or amount
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π€Pronunciation
π³Etymology
Origin
From Old English 'swellan' meaning 'to swell or expand,' derived from Proto-Germanic *swel-, likely related to heat or expansion. The word has been used since before the 12th century.
Breakdown
swell (from Old English swellan) - a single morpheme with no modern affixes; the root itself carries the complete meaning of 'to expand or increase in size'
π΅Rhyme
πCollocations
πExamples
βMy ego swells every time someone compliments my terrible cooking.β
βThe number of students skipping class tends to swell before holidays.β
βHis head swelled so much from the compliments that he couldn't fit through the door.β
βThe music swelled to a dramatic crescendo during the final scene.β
πRelated Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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