adjective
swell
Very good or pleasant, in dated informal speech.
The old film's character calls the outing swell.
Etymology
Swell developed slang senses of impressive or fashionable. The approving adjective broadened to mean very good or pleasant.
More examples
- She said they had a swell time.
- The dated advertisement promised a swell evening.
- He described the performance as swell.
Forms
swell
Similar words
- great
- The ordinary modern compliment.
- splendid
- A more formal approving word.