English Reference
adjective

inflated

adj.
US /ˌɪnˈfɫeɪtɪd/ UK /ɪnflˈeɪtɪd/ in·flat·ed

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    filled with air or gas so that it is firm.

    distended or expanded by being filled with air, gas, or fluid.

    Simple

    The children played with an inflated beach ball in the pool.

    In context

    The rescue craft featured several independently inflated chambers to ensure buoyancy even if the outer hull was punctured during the operation.

    blown upexpandeddistended
  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate Economics

    higher than the real value or much more expensive than usual.

    increased to an abnormal or unjustifiable level, particularly regarding costs or valuations.

    Simple

    The housing market is full of inflated prices that young people cannot afford.

    In context

    Economists warned that the inflated asset prices were unsustainable and could lead to a significant market correction by the end of the fiscal year.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced Formal

    making something seem more important or better than it really is.

    exaggerated or pompous in nature, often referring to a person's ego, claims, or style of speaking.

    Simple

    He has an inflated sense of his own importance in the company.

    In context

    The candidate's resume was filled with inflated claims about his previous management experience, which were quickly debunked during the background check.

Ticket scalping—the act of buying tickets for live events and reselling them at highly inflated prices—has been illegal in English football since the introduction of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.

Phys.org· 21 Aug 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated