inflate

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   fill with gas or air

   inflate a balloons

2. 2
   verb

   exaggerate or make bigger

   The charges were inflated

3. 3
   verb

   increase the amount or availability of, creating a rise in value

   inflate the currency

4. 4
   verb

   cause prices to rise by increasing the available currency or credit

   The war inflated the economy

5. 5
   verb

   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.

6. 6
   verb

   To enlarge by filling with air (or a gas).

   The balloon will inflate if you blow into it.

7. 7
   verb

   To swell; to puff up.

   to inflate somebody with pride or vanity

8. 8
   verb

   To represent something as being more important, better, or worse than it actually is; to exaggerate.

   Israel routinely claims that the Gaza Ministry of Health, which is run by Hamas, has a tendency to inflate the number of Palestinian casualties in the Gaza Strip.

Etymology

From Latin īnflātus, perfect passive participle of īnflō, see -ate (verb-forming suffix). Doublet of inblow.