Definition of swell

• v. i. - To grow larger; to dilate or extend the exterior surface or dimensions, by matter added within, or by expansion of the inclosed substance; as, the legs swell in dropsy; a bruised part swells; a bladder swells by inflation.
• v. i. - To increase in size or extent by any addition; to increase in volume or force; as, a river swells, and overflows its banks; sounds swell or diminish.
• v. i. - To rise or be driven into waves or billows; to heave; as, in tempest, the ocean swells into waves.
• v. i. - To be puffed up or bloated; as, to swell with pride.
• v. i. - To be inflated; to belly; as, the sails swell.
• v. i. - To be turgid, bombastic, or extravagant; as, swelling words; a swelling style.
• v. i. - To protuberate; to bulge out; as, a cask swells in the middle.
• v. i. - To be elated; to rise arrogantly.
• v. i. - To grow upon the view; to become larger; to expand.
• v. i. - To become larger in amount; as, many little debts added, swell to a great amount.
• v. i. - To act in a pompous, ostentatious, or arrogant manner; to strut; to look big.
• v. t. - To increase the size, bulk, or dimensions of; to cause to rise, dilate, or increase; as, rains and dissolving snow swell the rivers in spring; immigration swells the population.
• v. t. - To aggravate; to heighten.
• v. t. - To raise to arrogance; to puff up; to inflate; as, to be swelled with pride or haughtiness.
• v. t. - To augment gradually in force or loudness, as the sound of a note.
• n. - The act of swelling.
• n. - Gradual increase.
• n. - Increase or augmentation in bulk; protuberance.
• n. - Increase in height; elevation; rise.
• n. - Increase of force, intensity, or volume of sound.
• n. - Increase of power in style, or of rhetorical force.
• n. - A gradual ascent, or rounded elevation, of land; as, an extensive plain abounding with little swells.
• n. - A wave, or billow; especially, a succession of large waves; the roll of the sea after a storm; as, a heavy swell sets into the harbor.
• n. - A gradual increase and decrease of the volume of sound; the crescendo and diminuendo combined; -- generally indicated by the sign.
• n. - A showy, dashing person; a dandy.
• a. - Having the characteristics of a person of rank and importance; showy; dandified; distinguished; as, a swell person; a swell neighborhood.