swell

Definitions

1. 1intransitive verb

   To grow larger; to dilate or extend the exterior surface or dimensions, by matter added within, or by expansion of the inclosed substance; as, the legs swell in dropsy; a bruised part swells; a bladder swells by inflation.

2. 2intransitive verb

   To increase in size or extent by any addition; to increase in volume or force; as, a river swells, and overflows its banks; sounds swell or diminish.

3. 3intransitive verb

   To rise or be driven into waves or billows; to heave; as, in tempest, the ocean swells into waves.

4. 4intransitive verb

   To be puffed up or bloated; as, to swell with pride.

5. 5intransitive verb

   To be inflated; to belly; as, the sails swell.

6. 6intransitive verb

   To be turgid, bombastic, or extravagant; as, swelling words; a swelling style.

7. 7intransitive verb

   To protuberate; to bulge out; as, a cask swells in the middle.

8. 8intransitive verb

   To be elated; to rise arrogantly.

9. 9intransitive verb

   To grow upon the view; to become larger; to expand.

10. 10intransitive verb

    To become larger in amount; as, many little debts added, swell to a great amount.

11. 11intransitive verb

    To act in a pompous, ostentatious, or arrogant manner; to strut; to look big.

12. 12transitive verb

    To increase the size, bulk, or dimensions of; to cause to rise, dilate, or increase; as, rains and dissolving snow swell the rivers in spring; immigration swells the population.

13. 13transitive verb

    To aggravate; to heighten.

14. 14transitive verb

    To raise to arrogance; to puff up; to inflate; as, to be swelled with pride or haughtiness.

15. 15transitive verb

    To augment gradually in force or loudness, as the sound of a note.

16. 16noun

    The act of swelling.

17. 17noun

    Gradual increase.

18. 18noun

    Increase or augmentation in bulk; protuberance.

19. 19noun

    Increase in height; elevation; rise.

20. 20noun

    Increase of force, intensity, or volume of sound.

21. 21noun

    Increase of power in style, or of rhetorical force.

22. 22noun

    A gradual ascent, or rounded elevation, of land; as, an extensive plain abounding with little swells.

23. 23noun

    A wave, or billow; especially, a succession of large waves; the roll of the sea after a storm; as, a heavy swell sets into the harbor.

24. 24noun

    A gradual increase and decrease of the volume of sound; the crescendo and diminuendo combined; -- generally indicated by the sign.

25. 25noun

    A showy, dashing person; a dandy.

26. 26adjective

    Having the characteristics of a person of rank and importance; showy; dandified; distinguished; as, a swell person; a swell neighborhood.

27. 27noun

    a crescendo followed by a decrescendo

28. 28noun

    the undulating movement of the surface of the open sea

29. 29noun

    a rounded elevation (especially one on an ocean floor)

30. 30noun

    a man who is much concerned with his dress and appearance

    Synonyms

    beauclotheshorsedandydudefopgallantsheik
31. 31verb

    expand abnormally

    "The bellies of the starving children are swelling"

    Synonyms

    intumescetumefy
32. 32verb

    cause to become swollen

    "The water swells the wood"

33. 33verb

    increase in size, magnitude, number, or intensity

    "The music swelled to a crescendo"

34. 34verb

    come up, as of a liquid

    "Tears well in her eyes"

    "the currents well up"

    Synonyms

    well
35. 35verb

    become filled with pride, arrogance, or anger

    "The mother was swelling with importance when she spoke of her son"

36. 36verb

    come up (as of feelings and thoughts, or other ephemeral things)

    "Strong emotions welled up"

    "Smoke swelled from it"

37. 37adjective

    very good

    "he did a bully job"

    "a neat sports car"

    Synonyms

    bullycorkingcrackingdandygreatgroovykeenneatniftypeachysmashing