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Word a Day

swell

verb · /swɛl/ · Level 2 · Intermediate

What does swell mean?

swell (verb): increase in size, magnitude, number, or intensity.

Definition: Princeton WordNet 3.1.

How do you use swell in a sentence?

How do you pronounce swell?

/swɛl/ (IPA, American English). The app reads every word aloud.

Where does swell come from?

From Middle English swellen, from Old English swellan (“to swell”).

Etymology: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Test yourself: do you know “swell”?

Tap an answer to check it. The same questions the app asks.

What does “swell” mean?

to place confidence in, to rely on, to confide in

Not quite: that's what trust means.

increase in size, magnitude, number, or intensity

Right! That's what “swell” means.

to fall or sink quickly or suddenly to the ground

Not quite: that's what drop means.

to pass by means of a spring or leap; to overleap

Not quite: that's what jump means.

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