Word
swell
US/ˈswɛɫ/
UK/swˈɛl/
Irregular verb
Forms
Infinitive
swell
Past
swelled
Past participle
swollen / swelled
Definitions
01to become larger
B2 · Upper Intermediate Medicine
v. to become larger or rounder than usual, often because of an injury or liquid.
v. to expand in volume or size, typically due to internal pressure, inflammation, or the accumulation of fluid.
日本語:ふくらむ、はれる※
“His ankle started to swell immediately after he tripped on the stairs.”
“The wood in the door frame began to swell during the humid summer months, making it nearly impossible to close properly.”
02to increase in sound
C1 · Advanced Music Formal
v. to gradually become louder or stronger.
v. to increase gradually in volume, intensity, or force.
“The sound of the drums began to swell as the parade moved closer.”
“The orchestral arrangement allowed the brass section to swell during the finale, creating a powerful emotional climax.”
Synonyms
03a stylish person
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Archaic · Informal
n. a person who is very fashionable or has a high social position.
n. a person of high social standing or one who is dressed in an elegantly fashionable manner.
“The hotel lobby was filled with swells in expensive suits.”
“The local club was once the exclusive haunt of city swells and their debutante daughters.”
04excellent
B2 · Upper Intermediate American English · Informal · Archaic
adj. very good or pleasant.
adj. excellent or first-rate; used as a general term of approval.
“We had a swell time at the party last night.”
“He thought it was a swell idea to drive across the country, though his parents were less enthusiastic.”
Teaching tip
This usage is very old-fashioned and mostly associated with mid-20th-century American English; modern speakers use it ironically or in period dramas.
Real-World Examples
“And a chat with one “weird little” 13-year-old fan in the crowd is enough to swell your heart and make you believe in the power of comedy to change things.” “Since Wednesday, Kathmandu has swelled with international visitors – not tourists but people looking for their loved ones.” Etymology
From Middle English swellen, from Old English swellan (“to swell”), from Proto-West Germanic swellan, from Proto-Germanic swellaną (“to swell”), of unknown origin. Cognate with Saterland Frisian swälle (“to swell”), West Frisian swolle (“to swell”), Dutch zwellen (“to swell”), Low German swellen (“to swell”), German schwellen (“to swell”), Swedish svälla (“to swell”), Icelandic svella. The adjective may derive from the noun.
From Middle English swelle, from the verb swellen (modern swell).
From the noun "swell" (a person dressed in an elegant manner).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Idioms
01. swell up
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/swell
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0