# swollen

/ˈswoʊɫən/ (US) · /swˈəʊlən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/swollen
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. puffy or enlarged

adjective · CEFR B2

larger or rounder than usual, often because of a hurt or a medical problem.

For teachers: abnormally distended or protuberant, typically as a result of injury, infection, or fluid accumulation.

- His ankle was swollen and bruised after he tripped on the stairs.
- The patient presented with a severely swollen knee, suggesting a significant accumulation of synovial fluid following the impact.

Usage: Often used with 'with' to indicate the cause, such as 'swollen with pride' or 'swollen with rain'.

## Examples

- My ankle is swollen after I tripped on the stairs.
- The doctor checked his swollen glands to see if his body was fighting an infection.
- The river, already swollen by three days of torrential rain, finally breached its banks and flooded the lower meadows.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.