How Do You Spell SWELL?

Pronunciation: [swˈɛl] (IPA)

Swell is a commonly used word that can be spelled either with one or two L’s at the end. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /swɛl/. The “w” in “swell” makes the “s” sound more like a “z,” and the “e” is pronounced as the short “e” sound. The double “l” in “swell” is used when the word takes on a verb form, while the single “l” is used when the word is used as an adjective or adverb. So, people should be careful about the spelling of “swell” whether it's referring to a wave or an emotion.

SWELL Meaning and Definition

  1. Swell can be defined as both a noun and a verb with different meanings. As a noun, it refers to a long, regular undulation on the surface of a body of water, typically caused by the wind. It describes the rise and fall of waves that create a gentle rolling movement. Swell can also be used to describe a slight rise in the level of a sea, river, or lake as a result of tidal influences or heavy rain.

    As a verb, swell has various meanings. It can mean to become larger or rounder in size, either temporarily due to inflammation or permanently due to growth or accumulation of fluid. For example, a person's ankle can swell after an injury, or a watermelon can swell as it ripens. Swell can also refer to an increase in volume, intensity, or force, such as in sound or emotions. It can describe the act of expanding or filling with pride or satisfaction, as in feeling a sense of pride that causes one's chest to swell. Additionally, swell can mean to improve in condition or become better, as in "business is starting to swell."

    In a colloquial sense, swell is sometimes used as an adjective to describe something or someone as excellent, impressive, or very good. This usage is often considered old-fashioned or dated and is more commonly seen in older literature or period films. For instance, "You did a swell job on that project!"

Top Common Misspellings for SWELL *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for SWELL

Etymology of SWELL

The word "swell" can be traced back to Old English as "swellan", which meant "to grow, become larger or stronger". It is believed to have developed from the Proto-Germanic root "*sweljanan". The word has cognates in other Germanic languages, such as Old Norse "svella" and Old High German "swellen". The term evolved over time, and its current meaning of "to expand or increase in size" can be seen from the 15th century onwards. As a noun, "swell" referring to a wave or a rise in the sea, came into use in the late 18th century.

Idioms with the word SWELL

  • swell up The idiom "swell up" refers to the physical act of expanding or becoming larger, usually due to an injury, inflammation, or an exaggerated emotional reaction.
  • swell with sth The idiom "swell with something" generally means to feel a strong and intense emotion or pride, typically causing one's chest or heart to feel larger or fuller. It can refer to feelings of joy, pride, happiness, or even anger or resentment.
  • swell out The idiom "swell out" typically means to expand or become larger in size, often referring to something that bulges or protrudes outward. It can be used both literally and figuratively.

Similar spelling words for SWELL

Plural form of SWELL is SWELLS

Conjugate verb Swell

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have swollen; swelled
you would have swollen; swelled
he/she/it would have swollen; swelled
we would have swollen; swelled
they would have swollen; swelled
I would have swell
you would have swell
he/she/it would have swell
we would have swell
they would have swell

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been swelling
you would have been swelling
he/she/it would have been swelling
we would have been swelling
they would have been swelling

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would swell
you would swell
he/she/it would swell
we would swell
they would swell

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be swelling
you would be swelling
he/she/it would be swelling
we would be swelling
they would be swelling

FUTURE

I will swell
you will swell
he/she/it will swell
we will swell
they will swell

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be swelling
you will be swelling
he/she/it will be swelling
we will be swelling
they will be swelling

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have swollen; swelled
you will have swollen; swelled
he/she/it will have swollen; swelled
we will have swollen; swelled
they will have swollen; swelled
I will have swelled
you will have swelled
he/she/it will have swelled
we will have swelled
they will have swelled
I will have swollen
we will have swollen
you will have swollen
he/she/it will have swollen
they will have swollen

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been swelling
you will have been swelling
he/she/it will have been swelling
we will have been swelling
they will have been swelling

IMPERATIVE

you swell
we let´s swell

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to swell

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was swelling
you were swelling
he/she/it was swelling
we were swelling
they were swelling

PAST PARTICIPLE

swollen; swelled
swelled

PAST PERFECT

I had swollen; swelled
you had swollen; swelled
he/she/it had swollen; swelled
we had swollen; swelled
they had swollen; swelled
I had swelled
you had swelled
he/she/it had swelled
we had swelled
they had swelled
I had swollen
we had swollen
you had swollen
he/she/it had swollen
they had swollen

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been swelling
you had been swelling
he/she/it had been swelling
we had been swelling
they had been swelling

PRESENT

I swell
you swell
he/she/it swells
we swell
they swell

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am swelling
you are swelling
he/she/it is swelling
we are swelling
they are swelling

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

swelling

PRESENT PERFECT

I have swollen; swelled
you have swollen; swelled
he/she/it has swollen; swelled
we have swollen; swelled
they have swollen; swelled
I have swelled
you have swelled
he/she/it has swelled
we have swelled
they have swelled
I have swollen
we have swollen
you have swollen
he/she/it has swollen
they have swollen

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been swelling
you have been swelling
he/she/it has been swelling
we have been swelling
they have been swelling

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it swell

SIMPLE PAST

I swelled
you swelled
he/she/it swelled
we swelled
they swelled
I would have swollen
we would have swollen
you would have swollen
he/she/it would have swollen
they would have swollen