swells

10 definitions • 13 examples

to become larger and rounder than usual; to (cause to) increase in size or amount:

It was obvious she had broken her toe, because it immediately started to swell (up).

The group recruited more members, swelling its ranks (= increasing its size) to more than 1.3 million.

literary His heart/breast swelled with pride (= he felt very proud) as he stood watching his son graduate.

If music swells, it becomes louder.

the slow up and down movement of the sea with large but smooth waves

an increase in sound produced by a musical instrument or instruments

a rich, fashionable person:

They were mostly working-class guys trying to be comfortable among the swells.

She had seen her neighbourhood change from an empty corner to a destination for city swells.

very good or pleasant:

That's a swell idea!

very well:

Everything's going swell.

to become larger and rounder:

[ I ] It’s spring, and the buds on the trees are beginning to swell.

[ I ] One of his eyes swelled shut.

[ T ] Immigrants swelled the city’s population (= increased it).

[ I ] fig. His chest swelled with pride at being chosen (= He felt extremely proud).

the slow up and down movement of a long, smooth wave or series of waves in the sea:

ocean swells

excellent; very good:

The food was good and the service was swell.