swollen
B1Neutral to formal in literal sense; can be literary in metaphorical use.
Definition
Meaning
Enlarged or distended beyond normal size, especially due to pressure from within or injury.
Excessively large or inflated, often metaphorically (e.g., numbers, pride, a river).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily an adjective, the past participle of 'swell'. Describes a temporary, often abnormal, state of enlargement. Can imply a negative or problematic condition.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. 'Swollen' is the standard past participle in both varieties, though 'swelled' is sometimes used in specific US contexts (e.g., 'The population swelled').
Connotations
Identical.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in medical/health contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[be/become/get] swollen (with something)[have] a swollen [body part][cause/lead to/reduce] swellingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “swollen head (conceited)”
- “swollen with pride”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
'The project's swollen costs forced a review.'
Academic
'The swollen lymph nodes indicated an immune response.'
Everyday
'My finger is really swollen from that insect bite.'
Technical
'Oedema results in swollen tissue due to fluid accumulation.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The river has swollen considerably after the heavy rains.
- Membership swelled to over a thousand.
American English
- The creek swelled overnight, flooding the path.
- Her heart swelled with emotion.
adjective
British English
- He had a badly swollen knee after the fall.
- The swollen bureaucracy hindered progress.
American English
- Her swollen ankle needed ice.
- They faced a swollen deficit.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My knee is swollen.
- Her eyes were swollen from crying.
- The river banks were swollen with meltwater.
- He applied ice to the swollen area.
- Public criticism has swollen in recent weeks.
- The glandular fever left her with chronically swollen lymph nodes.
- His prose was criticised for its swollen, grandiose style.
- The company's swollen payroll became unsustainable.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a SWOLLEN balloon (SWOLLEN) that's been blown up too much.
Conceptual Metaphor
INCREASE IS UP / PROBLEM IS PHYSICAL DISTORTION (A swollen ego, swollen bureaucracy).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not directly translate from Russian 'опухший' for 'swollen with pride'; use 'conceited' or 'arrogant' for the character trait.
- 'Swollen' for body parts is correct; avoid using 'blown' (as in 'blown up').
Common Mistakes
- Using 'swollen' as a regular verb (He swollen his ankle -> He *sprained* his ankle and it *became swollen*).
- Confusing 'swollen' (adjective) with 'swelling' (noun/gerund).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'swollen' used metaphorically?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Swollen' is the standard adjective and past participle for describing a state (e.g., a swollen foot, it has swollen). 'Swelled' is sometimes used, especially in American English, as the simple past or in specific verbal phrases (e.g., The crowd swelled, Her pride swelled).
Rarely in a purely positive sense. Even 'swollen with pride' has a slightly negative connotation of excess. For positive increase, words like 'grown', 'increased', or 'expanded' are better.
'Swollen' refers to the size increase. 'Inflamed' specifically refers to a red, hot, and painful swelling, usually due to infection or injury. Something can be swollen without being inflamed (e.g., from fluid retention).
Typically 'swollen with' (swollen with fluid, swollen with pride). 'Swollen by' is less common but can indicate the agent causing the swelling (e.g., The ranks were swollen by new volunteers).