Swell

Definition

Swell can function as a noun meaning a long, unbroken wave or an emotional surge of feeling; as a verb, it means to expand, increase in size or volume, or to rise or grow; informally, as an adjective, it denotes excellent or very good.

Parts of Speech

• Noun
• Verb (intransitive/transitive)
• Adjective (informal)

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA: /swɛl/
• Respelling: SWELL

British English

• IPA: /swel/
• Respelling: SWELL

Etymology

Old English swellan “to swell, grow”, from Proto-Germanic *swelþanan, related to Dutch zwellen and German schwellen.

Derivatives

• swellable (adjective)
• swelling (noun/gerund/adjective)
• unswelled (adjective)

Synonyms

• (noun) surge, billow, wave, rise
• (verb) expand, bulge, distend, enlarge
• (adjective) splendid, terrific

Antonyms

• (noun) ebb
• (verb) shrink, contract
• (adjective) poor, lousy

Usage

Noun: The noun "swell" is used in nautical, meteorological, and emotional contexts to refer to a long wave motion or an upsurge. For example, "A gentle swell rolled in from the open sea," or "He felt a sudden swell of pride at the applause."

Verb: As a verb, "to swell" describes increasing in size or amount. For example, "Her ankle swelled after the sprain," or "Tidewaters swelled rapidly with the full moon."

Adjective: Informally, "swell" means excellent or very good. For example, "We had a swell time at the fair," (dated/informal).

Related Terms

• Surge: A sudden powerful forward or upward movement.
• Billow: A large undulating mass of something, typically smoke or cloud.
• Distend: To swell or cause to swell by pressure from inside.
• Edema: Medical term for swelling caused by fluid accumulation.
• Swelling: The condition of being swollen; an abnormal enlargement.

Detailed Definitions

Noun

• A long, unbroken wave or series of waves – often generated by distant weather systems.
  • Example: "The surfers rode the Pacific swell for hours."
• An emotional surge or increase – a rise in feeling such as pride or enthusiasm.
  • Example: "A swell of hope spread through the crowd when the news arrived."

Verb

• To expand or increase in size, volume, or intensity – to become larger or more pronounced.
  • Example: "Her confidence swelled as she approached the podium."
• To rise or heave, as waves or tide – to grow in height or force.
  • Example: "The river swelled after the heavy rains."

Adjective (informal)

• Excellent; first-rate – used colloquially to express approval or satisfaction.
  • Example: "That’s a swell idea!" (dated/informal)