swell
swell /ˈswɛl/
adjective
-
(
)
Very good
(
bang-up
, corking
, cracking
, dandy
, groovy
, keen
, neat
, nifty
, not bad
, old
, peachy
, slap-up
, bully
, great
, smashing
, swell
)
very good
He did a bully job
he did a bully job
A neat sports car
a neat sports car
Had a great time at the party
had a great time at the party
You look simply smashing
you look simply smashing
We had a grand old time
we had a grand old time
noun
-
(
)
The undulating movement of the surface of the open sea
(
crestless wave
, swell
)
the undulating movement of the surface of the open sea
The waves began to swell as the storm approached.
The waves began to swell as the storm approached.
-
(
)
A rounded elevation (especially one on an ocean floor)
(
swell
)
a rounded elevation (especially one on an ocean floor)
Surfers rode the powerful swell of the ocean, mastering the art of riding the waves.
Surfers rode the powerful swell of the ocean, mastering the art of riding the waves.
-
(
)
A crescendo followed by a decrescendo
(
swell
)
a crescendo followed by a decrescendo
-
[Informal]
A man who is much concerned with his dress and appearance
(
beau
[Archaic] , clotheshorse
[Informal] , dandy
, dude
[Informal] , fashion plate
, fop
, gallant
[Archaic] , sheik
, swell
[Informal] )
a man who is much concerned with his dress and appearance
verb
-
(
)
Increase in size, magnitude, number, or intensity
(
swell
)
increase in size, magnitude, number, or intensity
The music swelled to a crescendo
The music swelled to a crescendo
-
(
)
Expand abnormally
(
intumesce
, swell up
, tumefy
, tumesce
, swell
)
expand abnormally
The bellies of the starving children are swelling
The bellies of the starving children are swelling
-
(
)
Become filled with pride, arrogance, or anger
(
puff up
, swell
)
become filled with pride, arrogance, or anger
The mother was swelling with importance when she spoke of her son
The mother was swelling with importance when she spoke of her son
-
(
)
Come up, as of a liquid
(
swell
, well
)
come up, as of a liquid
Tears well in her eyes
Tears well in her eyes
The currents well up
the currents well up
-
(
)
Come up (as of feelings and thoughts, or other ephemeral things)
(
swell
, well up
)
come up (as of feelings and thoughts, or other ephemeral things)
Strong emotions welled up
Strong emotions welled up
Smoke swelled from it
Smoke swelled from it
-
Cause to become swollen
(
swell
)
cause to become swollen
The water swells the wood
The water swells the wood