October 20, 2021 Word of the Day
swells; swelled; swelled or swollen /ˈswoʊlən/
Wrapping a sprained ankle will help prevent it from swelling.
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]
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