The noun swell has 4 senses (first 3 from tagged texts)
1. (3) swell, crestless wave -- (the undulating movement of the surface of the open sea)
2. (2) swell -- (a rounded elevation (especially one on an ocean floor))
3. (1) swell -- (a crescendo followed by a decrescendo)
4. dandy, dude, fop, gallant, sheik, beau, swell, fashion plate, clotheshorse -- (a man who is much concerned with his dress and appearance)
Overview of verb swell
The verb swell has 6 senses (first 5 from tagged texts)
1. (5) swell -- (increase in size, magnitude, number, or intensity; "The music swelled to a crescendo")
2. (4) swell, puff up -- (become filled with pride, arrogance, or anger; "The mother was swelling with importance when she spoke of her son")
3. (4) swell, swell up, intumesce, tumefy, tumesce -- (expand abnormally; "The bellies of the starving children are swelling")
4. (1) well up, swell -- (come up (as of feelings and thoughts, or other ephemeral things); "Strong emotions welled up"; "Smoke swelled from it")
5. (1) well, swell -- (come up, as of a liquid; "Tears well in her eyes"; "the currents well up")
6. swell -- (cause to become swollen; "The water swells the wood")
Overview of adj swell
The adj swell has 1 sense (first 1 from tagged texts)
1. (1) bang-up, bully, corking, cracking, dandy, great, groovy, keen, neat, nifty, not bad, peachy, slap-up, swell, smashing -- (very good; "he did a bully job"; "a neat sports car"; "had a great time at the party"; "you look simply smashing")