Swell
/swɛl/
verbnounadjectiveB1
Definition
As a verb, "swell" means to become bigger or rounder, often because of pressure or liquid inside. As a noun, it refers to a smooth, large wave in the ocean. As an adjective, it is an informal way to say something is very good or enjoyable.
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See It in Action
Verb: To become larger or rounder, often by pressure inside
- •Her ankle began to swell after she twisted it.
- •The river swelled after the heavy rain.
- •His cheek swelled because of the insect bite.
Noun: A large, smooth wave in the ocean or sea
- •Surfers waited for the perfect swell to ride.
- •The boat moved gently with the swell of the sea.
- •We watched the swell rise and fall from the beach.
Adjective (informal): Very good or excellent
- •That movie was swell! I really enjoyed it.
- •She had a swell time at the party last night.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "swell" like "grow" (A1 word), but usually for something soft, round, or smooth getting bigger
- ✓Picture a balloon slowly getting bigger as you blow air into it, or your finger getting puffy after a small injury
- ✓It's the feeling when your body part feels bigger or when you see a big wave moving calmly in the ocean
- ✓Sounds like "SWell" → imagine water moving in a big smooth wave that "swells" up gently
- ✓Remember cartoons where a character's cheek swells after a bee sting, getting round and bigger
- ✓NOT like "break" (which means to get smaller or separate), "swell" means to increase in size
- ✓NOT like "wave" (which moves up and down quickly), "swell" is a slow, smooth, and large wave
- ✓NOT like "good" (simple positive), "swell" as an adjective is old-fashioned and friendly to say something is nice or excellent
Try Other Words
- •Expand: to get bigger in size or volume (Use when talking about objects or ideas getting larger, often slowly or in all directions)
- •Rise: to go up or increase (Use when talking about water, waves, or levels going higher)
- •Inflate: to fill with air or gas and get bigger (Use when talking about balloons or tires getting bigger with air)
- •Increase: to become larger in number or amount (Use in more general or abstract situations)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no prefix or suffix) — simple root word "swell"
- •Etymology: From Old English "swellan," meaning to grow or rise
- •Historical development: Used since Old English times to describe growing or rising, especially of liquids or body parts
- •Modern usage: Used as verb, noun, and adjective; adjective sense ("swell" meaning good) became popular in early 20th century as friendly slang
- •Key insight: The word connects physical growth or rising with positive feelings when used as an adjective
Reflect & Connect
•How does the meaning of "swell" change when you use it for a body part versus a wave in the ocean?
•Can you think of a time when you felt something was "swell"? Why did you use that word instead of "good"?
Fill in the blanks
1.After the injury, his finger began to swell ___ the pain and redness increased.
2.The swell of the ocean was perfect for ___ surfing early in the morning.
3.She said the concert was swell, meaning she had a ___ time enjoying the music.
4.Unlike a quick wave, a swell moves ___ and smoothly across the water.
5.When the river swells, it often causes ___ to nearby homes.
6.The balloon swelled as I kept ___ air into it slowly.
7.Using "swell" as an adjective is ___ common today, but it still sounds friendly and old-fashioned.