what swell means
swell verb [I/T] (INCREASE). âº to âbecome âlarger and ârounder: [I] Itâs âspring, and the âbuds on the âtrees are âbeginning to swell. [I] One of his âeyes swelled âshut. [T] Immigrants swelled the cityâs âpopulation (= âincreased it). [I] fig.
swell. vb, swells, swelling, swelled, swollen or swelled. 1. to grow or cause to grow in size, esp as a result of internal pressure. Compare contract 1, contract 3. 2. to expand or cause to expand at a particular point or above the surrounding level; protrude. 3. to grow or cause to grow in size, amount, intensity, or degree: the party is swelling with new recruits.