inflate

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To fill something with air or gas so that it becomes bigger.

   He used a pump to inflate the bicycle tires.

2. 2
   verb

   To make something seem larger, better, or more important than it really is.

   The company inflated its sales figures to impress investors.

3. 3
   verb

   To cause prices to rise, often by increasing the amount of money available.

   Printing too much money can inflate the economy.

Simplified etymology

Inflate comes from Latin flare, “to blow,” and literally means “blow into.” The opposite form deflate was created in the mid-19th century.

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

Topics

External links

• Google Images
• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary