swelled; swelled or swollen
ˈswō-lən 
; swelling
; swelling
1
a
: to expand (as in size, volume, or numbers) gradually beyond a normal or original limit
the population swelled
b
: to become distended or puffed up
her ankle is badly swollen
c
: to form a bulge or rounded elevation
2
a
: to become filled with pride and arrogance
b
: to behave or speak in a pompous, blustering, or self-important manner
c
: to play the swell
3
: to become distended with emotion
1
: to affect with a powerful or expansive emotion
2
: to increase the size, number, or intensity of
swell the applicant pool
1
: a long often massive and crestless wave or succession of waves often continuing beyond or after its cause (such as a gale)
2
a
: the condition of being protuberant
b
: a rounded elevation
3
a
: the act or process of swelling
b(1)
: a gradual increase and decrease of the loudness of a musical sound
also
: a sign indicating a swell
(2)
: a device used in an organ for governing loudness
4
a
archaic
: an impressive, pompous, or fashionable air or display
b
: a person dressed in the height of fashion
c
: a person of high social position or outstanding competence
Examples of swell in a Sentence
Verb
Her broken ankle swelled badly.
Heavy rains swelled the river.
The population has swelled in recent years.
The economy is swelling at an annual rate of five percent.
Immigrants have swelled the population.
Noun
The storm has brought high winds and heavy swells along the coast.
the swell of a pregnant woman's belly
a swell in the population
the swell of the music
Adjective
That was a swell party.
what a swell time we had at the country club dance
Recent Examples on the Web
Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Soundtracking Case’s words are windswept arrangements and contagious melodies where baritone guitar, violin swells, and steady percussion crumple up feelings of dread and anxiety.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 16 Sep. 2025
Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
Slebir’s ride during one of the biggest swells ever recorded in the Pacific Ocean drew national attention.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 14 Sep. 2025
Judith Martin, Mercury News, 27 Aug. 2025
Killer Dana’s demise came with the build-out of the Dana Point Harbor in 1966, a county project that put boat moorings where waves once rolled into shore, the rock jetty blocking the swell energy.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for swell
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Verb
Besides fatigue, the other possible symptoms can be quite vague and non-specific like abdominal discomfort, pain or swelling or unexplained weight loss, muscle loss or muscle weakness.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Soundtracking Case’s words are windswept arrangements and contagious melodies where baritone guitar, violin swells, and steady percussion crumple up feelings of dread and anxiety.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
Testing the Hot Tools Pro Artist 24K Gold Extended Barrel Curling Iron brought us a swell of nostalgia—and also lustrous, long-lasting curls and waves that rivaled tools double the price.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
Slebir’s ride during one of the biggest swells ever recorded in the Pacific Ocean drew national attention.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Awards are given, moderate amounts of beer are consumed, and a swell time is had by all.
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 27 Aug. 2025
Killer Dana’s demise came with the build-out of the Dana Point Harbor in 1966, a county project that put boat moorings where waves once rolled into shore, the rock jetty blocking the swell energy.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for swell
Cite this Entry
“Swell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swell. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
swell
1 of 3 verb
swelled; swelled or swollen
ˈswō-lən
; swelling
; swelling
1
a
: to expand (as in size, volume, or numbers) gradually beyond a normal or original limit
rivers swollen by rain
the population swelled
b
: to become abnormally enlarged or puffed up
the sprained ankle swelled badly
c
: to form a bulge or lump
2
: to fill or become filled with pride
3
: to fill or become filled with emotion
his heart was swollen with jealousy
swell
2 of 3 noun1
a
: a rounded lump
b
: the condition of bulging
2
: a long rolling wave or series of waves in the open sea
3
: a gradual increase and decrease of the loudness of a musical sound
also
: a sign marking a swell
4
: a fashionably dressed person
swell
3 of 3 adjective
: very good : excellent
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