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adj

swollen

SWOH-luhn
adj
1
Enlarged or puffed up beyond the normal size, usually from injury, illness, or fluid buildup.
"His ankle was too swollen to fit into his shoe."
"She woke up with swollen, tired eyes."

How to Use Swollen

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishPuffed up bigger than normal, usually because of injury or illness.

Common pairings
swollen ankle swollen glands swollen eyes

Word Forms

more swollen comparative, most swollen superlative

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His ankle was too _____ to fit into his shoe.

Etymology

The past participle of swell, from Old English geswollen.

Related Words

Rhymes for swollen

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