verb

swell

to swell, to expand, to increase

My ankle began to swell.

My ankle began to swell.

The river swelled after the rain.

The river swelled after the rain.

His heart swelled with pride.

His heart swelled with pride.

((subject)) swells to become larger or rounder My ankle began to swell.

((subject)) swells ((with sth.)) to be filled with a strong emotion His heart swelled with pride.

Synonyms: expand, inflate, bulge; Antonyms: shrink, contract, decrease

From Old English 'swellan', meaning 'to expand'.

Imagine a balloon swelling up as you blow air into it. The past participle is often 'swollen', as in 'a swollen ankle'.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.