inflate

[ in-fleyt ]
/ ɪnˈfleɪt /

verb (used with object), in·flat·ed, in·flat·ing.

verb (used without object), in·flat·ed, in·flat·ing.

to become inflated.
to increase, especially suddenly and substantially: The $10 subscription has inflated to $25.

Origin of inflate

1470–80; < Latin inflātus past participle of inflāre to blow on or into, puff out, equivalent to in- in-2 + flā- blow2 + -tus past participle suffix

OTHER WORDS FROM inflate

in·flat·er, in·fla·tor, noun o·ver·in·flate, verb (used with object), o·ver·in·flat·ed, o·ver·in·flat·ing. re·in·flate, verb, re·in·flat·ed, re·in·flat·ing.

Example sentences from the Web for inflate

British Dictionary definitions for inflate

inflate
/ (ɪnˈfleɪt) /

verb

to expand or cause to expand by filling with gas or air she needed to inflate the tyres
(tr) to cause to increase excessively; puff up; swell to inflate one's opinion of oneself
(tr) to cause inflation of (prices, money, etc)
(tr) to raise in spirits; elate
(intr) to undergo economic inflation

Derived forms of inflate

inflatedly, adverb inflatedness, noun inflater or inflator, noun

Word Origin for inflate

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