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Elementary Dictionary
       

swell

 
 
pronunciation:
swel
parts of speech:
verb, noun, adjective
features:
Word Builder
part of speech: verb
inflections: swells, swelling, swelled, swollen
definition 1: When something swells, it gets larger little by little.
A bee stung my toe and now my toe is swelling.There were only a few families in the park early in the evening, but the crowd swelled before the fireworks began.
synonyms:
expand, grow, increase
antonyms:
contract, shrink
similar words:
blow up, inflate, puff, rise, wax
definition 2: When something swells, it increases in amount or strength.
The sound of the orchestra swelled at the end.The river swelled from all the heavy rain.
synonyms:
increase, rise
antonyms:
decrease, wane
similar words:
build, expand, grow, wax
definition 3: When a feeling swells, it grows inside you and feels like it's going to burst out. When water swells from a spring, it rises up and out of the ground.
Feelings of love swelled inside the heart of the young man.Water swells from springs under the ground.
synonyms:
rise, well up
similar words:
burst, grow
definition 4: When rain swells a river, it causes the water in the river to increase.
The constant rain swelled the river.
synonyms:
increase
antonyms:
decrease
similar words:
raise
 
part of speech: noun
definition: A swell is a long, powerful wave or series of waves.
The ship was lifted by the swell.
synonyms:
wave
 
part of speech: adjective
definition: (informal) If someone is swell, it means that they are really fine or nice. If a thing is swell, it's really great.
My dad says his friend Joe is a swell guy.My grandfather said he had a swell day fishing yesterday.
synonyms:
great, super, terrific
antonyms:
bad
similar words:
excellent, fine, nice
Word Builder: swell +
  • swelling:
    an area of the body that is swollen.