v.
Pronunciation: in- ' fl ā t
Function: verb
Inflected Form: in · flat · ed ; in · flat · ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin inflatus, past participle of inflare, from in- + flare to blow ― more at BLOW
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
1 : to swell or distend with air or gas < inflate a tire>
2 : to puff up : ELATE < inflate one's ego>
3 : to expand or increase abnormally or imprudently
intransitive verb : to become inflated
synonyms see EXPAND
– in · fla · tor or in · flat · er \ - ' fl ā -t ə r \ noun