inflate

[in-fleyt]

verb (used with object)

inflated, inflating 

1. to distend; swell or puff out; dilate.

   The king cobra inflates its hood.

   Antonyms: deflate

2. to cause to expand or distend with air or gas.

   to inflate a balloon.

3. to puff up with pride, satisfaction, etc.

4. to elate.

5. Economics.,  to expand (money, prices, an economy, etc.) unduly in amount, value, or size; affect with inflation.

verb (used without object)

inflated, inflating 

1. to become inflated.

2. to increase, especially suddenly and substantially.

   The $10 subscription has inflated to $25.

inflate

/ ɪnˈfleɪt /

verb

1. to expand or cause to expand by filling with gas or air

   she needed to inflate the tyres

2. (tr) to cause to increase excessively; puff up; swell

   to inflate one's opinion of oneself

3. (tr) to cause inflation of (prices, money, etc)

4. (tr) to raise in spirits; elate

5. (intr) to undergo economic inflation

Other Word Forms

• inflater noun
• inflator noun
• overinflate verb (used with object)
• reinflate verb
• inflatedly adverb
• inflatedness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of inflate¹

First recorded in 1500–20; from Latin inflātus, past participle of inflāre “to blow on or into, puff out,” equivalent to in- in- ² + flā- blow ² + -tus past participle suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of inflate¹

C16: from Latin inflāre to blow into, from flāre to blow

Synonym Study

See expand.

Example Sentences

AlHusseini allegedly falsified records to inflate his assets to obtain the loans, and Sanberg concealed from investigators that he was the source for revenue that was recognized by the company.

From Los Angeles Times

“These inflated costs have been or likely will be passed on to consumers,” Newsmax said in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times

Reporters in the press box were given a figure of 35,032, which seemed inflated given so many empty seats below them.

From Los Angeles Times

In order to generate revenue during the war, Hamas has also continued to levy taxes on traders and has sold large quantities of cigarettes at inflated prices up to 100 times their original cost.

From BBC

Meanwhile, NHS managers have also criticised what they say are inflated shift rates being requested by senior doctors to provide cover for striking resident doctors.

From BBC

Related Words

• augment 
• bloat 
• boost 
• enlarge 
• escalate 
• exaggerate 
• expand 
• magnify 
• maximize 
• overestimate 
• pad 
• widen