inflate

English

Etymology

From Latin īnflātus, from the verb īnflō.

Pronunciation
  • (UK, US) enPR: ĭn-flāt', IPA(key): /ɪnˈfleɪt/
  • Audio (US)(file)
  • Rhymes: -eɪt
Girl inflating a red balloon by blowing into it.

Verb

inflate (third-person singular simple present inflates, present participle inflating, simple past and past participle inflated)

  1. (transitive) To enlarge an object by pushing air (or a gas) into it; to raise or expand abnormally
    You inflate a balloon by blowing air into it.
    • J. Scott of Amwell
      When passion's tumults in the bosom rise, / Inflate the features, and enrage the eyes.
  2. (intransitive) To enlarge by filling with air (or a gas).
    The balloon will inflate if you blow into it.
  3. (figuratively) To swell; to puff up.
    to inflate somebody with pride or vanity
    • Tennyson
      Inflate themselves with some insane delight.
  4. (transitive, computing) To decompress (data) that was previously deflated.

Antonyms

Derived terms

Translations
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Translations to be checked

Latin

Participle

īnflāte

  1. vocative masculine singular of īnflātus

Adverb

īnflātē (comparative īnflātius, superlative īnflātissimē)

  1. haughtily, proudly, pompously

References
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