B1verbnaturehealth
US/swel/
UK/swel/
to become bigger than usual, for example because of injury or extra water
In context
After days of heavy rain, the river swelled and flooded the rice fields.
My ankle began to swell a few minutes after I fell.
The city's population swells every Tet as workers return from the provinces.
Words that go with swell
verb + adverb
- swell upHer eyes swelled up after the bee sting.
- swell rapidlyThe crowd swelled rapidly as news of the free concert spread.
verb + preposition
- swell withThe mountain streams swell with rainwater every September.
- swell toDuring the flood, the river swelled to twice its normal width.
verb + noun
- swell the ranksThousands of new graduates swell the ranks of job seekers each summer.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
My leg is swelled.Correct: My leg is swollen.