v. i. | 1. | 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. | 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. | To rise or be driven into waves or billows; to heave; as, in tempest, the ocean swells into waves. |
| 4. | To be puffed up or bloated; as, to swell with pride. |
| 5. | To be inflated; to belly; as, the sails swell. |
| 6. | To be turgid, bombastic, or extravagant; as, swelling words; a swelling style. |
| 7. | To protuberate; to bulge out; as, a cask swells in the middle. |
| 8. | To be elated; to rise arrogantly. |
| 9. | To grow upon the view; to become larger; to expand. |
| 10. | To become larger in amount; as, many little debts added, swell to a great amount. |
| 11. | To act in a pompous, ostentatious, or arrogant manner; to strut; to look big. |
v. t. | 1. | 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. |
| 2. | To aggravate; to heighten. |
| 3. | To raise to arrogance; to puff up; to inflate; as, to be swelled with pride or haughtiness. |
| 4. | (Mus.) To augment gradually in force or loudness, as the sound of a note. |
n. | 1. | The act of swelling. |
| 2. | Gradual increase. |
| 3. | Increase of force, intensity, or volume of sound. |
| 3. | A gradual ascent, or rounded elevation, of land; as, an extensive plain abounding with little swells. |
| 4. | Increase of power in style, or of rhetorical force. |
| 4. | 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. |
| 5. | (Mus.) A gradual increase and decrease of the volume of sound; the crescendo and diminuendo combined; - generally indicated by the sign. |
| 6. | A showy, dashing person; a dandy. |
a. | 1. | Having the characteristics of a person of rank and importance; showy; dandified; distinguished; as, a swell person; a swell neighborhood. |
Noun | 1. | swell - the undulating movement of the surface of the open sea |
| 2. | swell - a rounded elevation (especially one on an ocean floor) |
| 3. | swell - a crescendo followed by a decrescendo |
| 4. | swell - a man who is much concerned with his dress and appearance |
Verb | 1. | swell - increase in size, magnitude, number, or intensity; "The music swelled to a crescendo" |
| 2. | swell - become filled with pride, arrogance, or anger; "The mother was swelling with importance when she spoke of her son" |
| 3. | swell - expand abnormally; "The bellies of the starving children are swelling" |
| 4. | swell - as of feelings and thoughts, or other ephemeral things; "Strong emotions welled up"; "Smoke swelled from it" |
| 5. | swell - come up; "Tears well in her eyes" |
| 6. | swell - cause to become swollen; "The water swells the wood" |
Adj. | 1. | swell - very good; "he did a bully job"; "a neat sports car"; "had a great time at the party"; "you look simply smashing"Synonyms: bang-up, bully, corking, cracking, dandy, nifty, not bad, peachy, slap-up, smashing, groovy, keen, neat, great |