SWELL | English Meaning, Definition, and Pronunciation

Old English swellan (verb), of Germanic origin; related to German schwellen. Current senses of the noun date from the early 16th century; the informal adjectival use derives from noun swell (sense 5 of the noun) (late 18th century)

(especially of a part of the body) become larger or rounder in size, typically as a result of an accumulation of fluid

become larger or rounder in size

• her bruised knee was already swelling up
• the sky was black and swollen with rain
• swollen glands

become or make greater in intensity, number, amount, or volume

become or make greater in intensity, number or volume

• the low murmur swelled to a roar
• the city's population was swollen by refugees

a full or gently rounded shape or form

full or gently rounded shape or form

• the soft swell of her breast

a gradual increase in amount, intensity, or volume

gradual increase in amount or volume

• a huge swell in the popularity of one-day cricket

a slow, regular movement of the sea in rolling waves that do not break

slow, regular movement of sea in rolling waves that do not break

• there was a heavy swell

a mechanism for producing a crescendo or diminuendo in an organ or harmonium.

mechanism for producing crescendo or diminuendo in organ or harmonium

a fashionable or stylish person of wealth or high social position

fashionable or stylish person of wealth

• a crowd of city swells

excellent; very good

excellent

• you're looking swell

excellently; very well

excellently

• everything was just going swell