swell
swell Lexical Profile
swell Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To increase gradually in magnitude, volume, or intensity.
"The orchestra's music began to swell, filling the entire concert hall with majestic sound."
To become larger or rounder in size, typically as a result of fluid accumulation or internal pressure.
"Her ankle began to swell almost immediately after the sprain."
To cause something to expand, grow, or increase.
"Heavy spring rains continue to swell the local rivers well past their banks."
• noun
A continuous, slow, and regular rolling movement of the sea that does not break into whitecaps.
"The boat rocked back and forth on the heavy ocean swell."
A gradual increase in size, amount, volume, or intensity.
"There was a noticeable swell in the crowd's cheering as the runner approached the finish line."
A wealthy, elegant, or socially prominent person.
"The grand hotel was traditionally a popular summer retreat for wealthy city swells."
• interjection
American Used to express approval or, more commonly in modern usage, sarcastic resignation or annoyance.
"Oh, swell, now the car has a flat tire."
• adjective
American Excellent, very good, or highly satisfactory.
"We had a swell time at the amusement park before the rain started."
Word Nuance & Usage
As an adjective and interjection meaning 'excellent', 'swell' is considered dated mid-20th-century slang and is most often used today either for nostalgic flavor or with heavy sarcasm.
• Rhymes for swell
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'swellan', of Germanic origin; related to Dutch 'zwellen' and German 'schwellen'. The slang adjective sense dates back to the 19th century.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.