(especially of a part of the body) become larger or rounder in size, typically as a result of an accumulation of fluid

her bruised knee was already swelling up

the sky was black and swollen with rain

swollen glands

become or make greater in intensity, number, amount, or volume

the low murmur swelled to a roar

the city's population was swollen by refugees

a full or gently rounded shape or form

the soft swell of her breast

a gradual increase in amount, intensity, or volume

a huge swell in the popularity of one-day cricket

a slow, regular movement of the sea in rolling waves that do not break

there was a heavy swell

a mechanism for producing a crescendo or diminuendo in an organ or harmonium

a fashionable or stylish person of wealth or high social position

a crowd of city swells

excellent; very good

you're looking swell

excellently; very well

everything was just going swell