swollen

/ˈswəʊ.lən/

[ SWOH-luhn ]

🔊 Hear it on YouGlish

Definition

Meaning: Swollen (adjective) means “enlarged,” “puffed up,” or “expanded,” usually due to injury, infection, or fluid accumulation. It describes something that is larger than normal, often because of inflammation or pressure.

La signification : Swollen signifie « enflé », « gonflé », ou « tuméfié » en anglais. Il s’utilise pour décrire une partie du corps (ou un objet) qui a augmenté de volume, souvent à cause d’une blessure, d’une infection ou d’une réaction allergique.

Example: "Her ankle was swollen after she twisted it during the game."

Grammar: Adjective (never used as a noun or verb). Used after “be” or “become”: “the swollen knee,” “his eyes were swollen,” “a swollen river.” The past participle of “swell.”

Quote: "If your face is swollen from the severe beatings of life, smile and pretend to be a fat man." [Chris Cleave]

Word Analysis

French equivalents
»» Enflé
»» Gonflé
»» Tuméfié
»» Ⓐ Son poignet est enflé après la chute.
»» Ⓑ Il a une joue gonflée à cause de l’infection.

English equivalents
»» Enlarged
»» Puffy
»» Inflamed
»» Ⓐ The river was swollen after the heavy rain.
»» Ⓑ Her eyes looked puffy and swollen.
    

Dialogue

Emma: "Why are you limping?"
Tom: "My ankle is swollen from playing football yesterday."
Emma: "Ouch! Did you ice it?"
Tom: "Yes, but it’s still pretty swollen and painful."
    

Poem Extract

Dark August [excerpt]

So much rain, so much life like the swollen sky
of this black August. My sister, the sun,
broods in her yellow room and won't come out.

Everything goes to hell; the mountains fume
like a kettle, rivers overrun; still,
she will not rise and turn off the rain.

She is in her room, fondling old things,
my poems, turning her album. Even if thunder falls
like a crash of plates from the sky,

she does not come out.
     
Derek Walcott

Read the Full Poem

Etymology

Origin: The adjective swollen is the past participle of the verb swell. It comes from Old English swellan (“to grow, swell, be swollen”), which is related to Old Norse svelga (“to swallow”), and Proto-Germanic swel- (“to swell”). The root is ultimately traced back to Proto-Indo-European *swel- (“to swell, grow, be large”).

Modern Usage: Swollen is used in both medical and general English to describe anything that has become larger or puffier than normal, especially due to injury, illness, or fluid retention.

Grammar Note: Swollen is always an adjective (or the past participle form of “swell”). It is used after “be” or “become,” or before a noun. Example: “The river is swollen after the storm.”

Audience

Swollen is widely understood in all varieties of English and is common in medical, scientific, and everyday contexts. It is frequently used by healthcare professionals, in news reports, and in daily conversation when describing injuries, illnesses, or natural phenomena.

When to use: Use swollen to describe something that is abnormally enlarged, especially due to injury, infection, or pressure. Example: “His fingers were swollen from the allergic reaction.”

Extra! Extra!

For a fun and engaging exploration of our word of the day, watch the following…

The meaning of 'swell'

How to pronounce 'swollen'

WordReference

For more on idiomatic usage, visit the WordReference Forums for discussions, translations, and examples in context.

Here are some quick links for further exploration:
» English⇄English – Discuss and learn about words and their usage.
» English⇄French – Explore translations and linguistic nuances.
» Synonyms⇄Antonyms – Contextual variations, etc.

Today's Word of the Day

Common Idioms & Expressions Related to "Swollen"

Swollen with pride
Filled with a strong sense of self-importance or satisfaction.

Example: "He was swollen with pride after receiving the award."

---

Swollen river
A river that has become unusually full, typically due to heavy rain or melting snow.

Example: "The swollen river overflowed its banks and flooded the nearby fields."

---

Swollen ankle
An ankle that is enlarged, usually due to injury or inflammation.

Example: "She limped into the clinic with a swollen ankle."

---

Swollen eyes
Eyes that are puffy or enlarged, often due to crying, allergies, or lack of sleep.

Example: "His swollen eyes betrayed a sleepless night."

---

Swollen ego
An exaggerated sense of one's own importance or abilities.

Example: "Fame had given him a swollen ego that annoyed his colleagues."

---

Swollen face
A face that appears puffed up due to injury, allergy, or infection.

Example: "After the bee sting, his swollen face needed immediate attention."

---

Swollen-headed
Arrogantly proud; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance.

Example: "After the promotion, he became too swollen-headed to greet coworkers."

---

Swollen budget
A budget that has become larger than originally planned or expected.

Example: "The project's swollen budget raised concerns in the finance department."

---

Swollen lymph nodes
Enlarged glands, often indicating an infection or medical condition.

Example: "The doctor checked for swollen lymph nodes under his jaw."

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