B2verbmoney
US/ɪnˈfleɪt/
UK/ɪnˈfleɪt/
to fill with air so it grows bigger, or to raise prices or numbers unfairly
In context
He used a pump to inflate the bicycle tires.
Some companies inflate their profits to impress investors.
Rising energy costs have inflated the price of almost everything.
Words that go with inflate
verb + noun
- inflate a balloonThe children helped inflate a balloon for the party.
- inflate pricesShortages can inflate prices quickly.
- inflate a tireInflate the tire to the right pressure.
- inflate the figuresThe firm was accused of inflating the figures.
adverb + verb
- artificially inflateSpeculators artificially inflate the value of land.