verb / noun

swell

SWEL/swel/

A rising increase in size or level.

The bread dough swells above the rim of the glass bowl.

A text-free two-stage view of bread dough swelling in the same glass bowl: a small dough mound on the left becomes a much larger, rounded mass rising above the rim on the right.

Etymology

swellOld Englishgrow in bulk, become bigger

Old English swellan already meant growing in bulk. The modern sense preserves that physical enlargement, also seen when a sail fills out or something bulges.

In context

Bread & Buns0:07

Add 160 g hot water to 100 g ground flaxseeds. Leave to swell for 2 hours.

Bake THIS Bread for your Family and they'll talk about it for Years 💥 (SECRET) 🤯

More examples

Her ankle has swollen since she twisted it.
A gentle swell lifts the boat.
The announcement brings a swell of interest in the program.

Forms

swell · swells · swelled · swollen · swelling

Similar words

expand: Emphasizes becoming larger or spreading outward, not necessarily rising.
increase: Covers any gain in amount, size, or level.
surge: Suggests a sudden, forceful rise rather than gradual growth.