Word of the Day: Swell
When something swells, it gets bigger or it increases.
| simple | past | past participle |
|---|---|---|
|
swell
|
swelled
|
swelled or swollen
|
- Wendy’s face swells up if she has an allergic reaction to medication.
- The river that goes through our town swells to twice its regular size after heavy rains.
- Ralph’s arm began to swell after he was hit with a baseball.
- His arm became bruised and swollen. (The word “swollen” is an adjective in this sentence.)
- After a dentist gives you novocain for dental work, that part of your mouth will feel swollen and numb.
- The city population swelled quickly after gold was discovered nearby.
- Doctors relieved the swelling in the man’s brain in order to save his life. (The word “swelling” is a noun in this sentence.)
- Putting ice on an injury can help reduce the swelling.
The word “swell” can also be used as an adjective that means something is good. (However, this usage is a little outdated.)
- That was a swell party. (That was a good party.)
- I feel swell today.
- That sounds swell.
- That’s just swell. (This could be said in a sarcastic manner, which would have the opposite meaning.)
Essential English Dictionary
Visit the Popular English Words Beginning with S page to see the list of all words starting with letter S. For seeing the HiCafe dictionary, visit the Popular English Words with Meaning page.
