swell

I UK [swel] / US verb
Word forms "swell":
present tense I/you/we/they swell he/she/it swells present participle swelling past tense swelled past participle swollen UK [ˈswəʊlən] / US [ˈswoʊlən]
*

1)

a) swell or swell up

[intransitive] to become larger than normal, usually because of liquid collecting inside

My ankles tend to swell when I travel by air.

Moisture causes the timber to swell.

b) [transitive] to make something larger than normal

be swollen with something:

The river was swollen with rain.

2)

a) [intransitive] to increase in amount or number

Attendance figures have swollen to 37,000 this season.

b) [transitive] to make something increase

Holidaymakers swell the local population in summer.

3) [intransitive] literary to become gradually louder

The shouts swelled to a roar.

4) [intransitive/transitive] mainly literary someone who swells with pride, joy etc feels extremely proud or happy

•

- swell someone's coffers

- swell the ranks

Phrasal verbs:

- swell up

II UK [swel] / US noun
Word forms "swell":
singular swell plural swells

1) [countable/uncountable, usually singular] the movement of the waves in the sea

a heavy swell (= large rough waves)

2) [singular] an increase in something such as a sound or a feeling

a swell of protest/support

3) [singular] mainly literary the round shape of something

the swell of her belly

III UK [swel] / US adjective American old-fashioned

very good