swell swell /ˈswɛl/

adjective

1. () Very good  ( bang-up , corking , cracking , dandy , groovy , keen , neat , nifty , not bad , bully , great , old , peachy , slap-up , 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

1. () 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.
   
2. () 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.
   
   
3. () A crescendo followed by a decrescendo  ( swell )
   a crescendo followed by a decrescendo
   
4. [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

1. () 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
   
2. () Expand abnormally  ( intumesce , swell up , tumefy , swell , tumesce )
   expand abnormally
    The bellies of the starving children are swelling
   The bellies of the starving children are swelling
   
3. () 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
   
4. () 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
   
5. () 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
   
6. Cause to become swollen  ( swell )
   cause to become swollen
    The water swells the wood
   The water swells the wood