swell
swell — verb
1. when something grows bigger, often becoming rounder in shape, or when its size,
when something grows bigger, often becoming rounder in shape, or when its size, amount, or volume increases. A body part can swell after an injury; a crowd can swell as more people arrive; a river can swell after heavy rain; a feeling can swell inside you.
Femi's ankle began to swell badly after he twisted it during the football match.
body part + swell after injury
The crowd outside the stadium swelled to nearly twenty thousand by evening.
crowd/group swells as numbers increase
Heavy rainfall caused the river to swell, forcing several families to leave their homes.
Élise felt her heart swell with joy when she saw the surprise party her friends had arranged.
The organisation swelled its membership by offering big discounts to new members.
文法句型
swell (up)
swell + noun phrase
swell with + noun
用法筆記
Intransitive use is far more common. The transitive form (swell + direct object) is used mainly in formal or business contexts, e.g. 'swell the ranks' or 'swell the numbers'. The past participle 'swollen' is common as an adjective describing a body part that has increased in size.
常見錯誤
2. when music or a sound swells, it gradually becomes louder and fuller, often crea
when music or a sound swells, it gradually becomes louder and fuller, often creating an intense or dramatic effect
The orchestra's music swelled as the violins entered with the main melody.
orchestral music swells
Jenna felt a chill run down her spine as the choir's voices swelled inside the old cathedral.
voices swell in a space
The sound of the drums swelled and then faded away as the parade moved down the street.
Bilal turned up the volume as the guitar solo swelled toward its peak.
- grow louder
more literal and less dramatic; no musical connotation
- crescendo
technical music term; can also be used figuratively for any rising intensity
文法句型
swell (in volume)
music/sound swells
用法筆記
Often used in music reviews and descriptions of live performances. The opposite movement is 'fade' or 'die away'. Frequently paired with prepositions like 'to' or 'toward' to indicate a peak.
swell — noun
1. the long, smooth up-and-down motion of ocean water far from shore, where the sur
the long, smooth up-and-down motion of ocean water far from shore, where the surface rises and falls gently in unbroken waves. Unlike regular waves, a swell travels steadily for long distances across the sea.
The fishing boat rose and fell gently with the ocean swell throughout the night.
boat rises and falls with the swell
Surfers looked for the perfect swell that would carry them all the way to the shore.
A heavy swell from the storm arrived at the coast hours after the wind had died down.
Feng felt seasick as the steady swell of the open sea rocked the small sailboat from side to side.
- surge
a sudden strong forward movement of water, less regular than a swell
- undulation
technical term for any wavy up-and-down motion; less common in everyday speech
文法句型
the swell
a heavy swell
the swell of the sea/ocean
用法筆記
Distinguish from 'wave': a swell is a long, smooth undulation of the water surface, while a wave is a shorter, steeper movement that usually breaks. Swells travel long distances across the open ocean; waves form closer to shore.
常見錯誤
2. a gradual build-up in how loud a piece of music gets, often followed by a gradua
a gradual build-up in how loud a piece of music gets, often followed by a gradual decrease. This creates a dramatic wave-like effect in the sound.
A great swell of organ music filled the church as the wedding ceremony began.
swell of organ music fills a space
The conductor raised his hands, and a powerful swell rose from the string section.
Ignacio loved the dramatic swell in the final movement of the symphony.
Manuela listened to the swell of the brass instruments and felt her excitement grow.
- diminuendo
technical music term for a gradual decrease in loudness
文法句型
a swell of + music/sound
the swell of + instrument
用法筆記
Often used as 'a swell of + music/sound', this sense is closely related to the verb sense 2. Unlike the verb, which describes the action, the noun refers to the sound event itself.
3. an old-fashioned, informal word for a person who is rich, fashionable, and from
an old-fashioned, informal word for a person who is rich, fashionable, and from a high social class. Used especially in early 20th-century British English.
The hotel lobby was full of swells in expensive suits and elegant dresses.
swells dressed elegantly
In the old novel, the young swell spends his family fortune on parties and travel.
young swell in a novel
Grandfather used to call anyone wearing a top hat a swell and laugh at their fancy manners.
In old movies, the villain is often a rich swell who looks down on the poor hero.
文法句型
a swell
the swells
用法筆記
This sense is dated and rarely used today outside of historical fiction or humorous references. Learners should recognise it in older texts but avoid using it actively in modern conversation.
swell — adjective
1. very good, excellent, or enjoyable. An informal, positive way to say that someth
very good, excellent, or enjoyable. An informal, positive way to say that something is nice or that you are pleased with it.
"That's a swell idea!" Jack said when Ayesha suggested a picnic at the lake.
swell idea — positive reaction
Esme thought the little café by the station was a swell place to meet friends.
Ilan had a swell time at the amusement park, going on all the rides twice.
Manuela's grandmother always said "Everything is just swell!" whenever the family gathered for dinner.
文法句型
be swell
a swell + noun
用法筆記
Very common in American English up to the mid-20th century. Now it sounds somewhat old-fashioned or playful — younger speakers may use it sarcastically to suggest things are NOT going well. Avoid in formal writing.
常見錯誤
swell — adverb
1. in a very good or satisfactory manner. Used informally to describe doing somethi
in a very good or satisfactory manner. Used informally to describe doing something well or succeeding at something.
"How is your new job going?" "Everything is going swell, thanks!" replied Femi.
going swell — things are going well
The two business partners got along swell from the very first meeting they had.
get along swell = have a good relationship
Bilal was worried about the exam at first, but in the end everything turned out swell.
The children were doing swell at school, so their parents took them out for ice cream to celebrate.
- badly
in a poor or unsatisfactory manner
文法句型
do swell
get along swell
go swell
用法筆記
Like the adjective sense, this sounds old-fashioned or playful in modern English. 'Well' or 'fine' are more neutral alternatives. Often used in the phrase 'go swell' or 'get along swell'.