Definition of 'dwell'

Word Frequency

dwell

(dwel )

Word forms: 3rd person singular present tense dwells , present participle dwelling , past tense, past participle dwelt , past tense, past participle dwelled

1. verb

If you dwell on something, especially something unpleasant, you think, speak, or write about it a lot or for quite a long time.

I'd rather not dwell on the past. [VERB + on/upon]

2. verb

If you dwell somewhere, you live there.

[formal]

They are concerned for the fate of the forest and the Indians who dwell in it. [VERB preposition/adverb]

Shiva is a dark god; he dwells in the mountains and deserts. [VERB preposition/adverb]

3. See also dwelling

More Synonyms of dwell

Video: pronunciation of 'dwell'

Word Frequency

dwell in British

(dwɛl )

verbWord forms: dwells, dwelling, dwelt (dwɛlt ) or dwelled (intransitive)

1. formal, literary

to live as a permanent resident

to live (in a specified state)

to dwell in poverty

noun

a regular pause in the operation of a machine

a flat or constant-radius portion on a linear or rotary cam enabling the cam follower to remain static for a brief time

Derived forms

dweller (ˈdweller)

noun

Word origin of 'dwell'

Old English dwellan to seduce, get lost; related to Old Saxon bidwellian to prevent, Old Norse dvelja, Old High German twellen to prevent

Word Frequency

dwell in American

(dwɛl )

verb intransitiveWord forms: dwelt or dwelled, ˈdwelling

to make one's home; reside; live

Idioms:

dwell on

Derived forms

dweller (ˈdweller)

noun

Word origin of 'dwell'

ME dwellen < OE dwellan, to lead astray, hinder, akin to ON dvelja, to delay < IE *dh(e)wel-, to obscure, make dull

Example sentences containing 'dwell'

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Yet his determination not to dwell on the past is a key part of his rehabilitation. Times, Sunday Times (2016)You can be really upset and dwell on something or you can put all the good memories in one song. The Sun (2017)I can't dwell on the past. Times, Sunday Times (2016)He's too selfdeprecating to dwell on the fact that his success has been hard-won. Times, Sunday Times (2016)Millennials would rather dwell on strengths and opportunities. Christianity Today (2000)Surely we could dwell a little longer. Times, Sunday Times (2011)We dwell on the past and worry about the future. The Sun (2011)We were offered little support and he dwells on things. The Sun (2015)Why dwell on something that makes you unhappy? Times, Sunday Times (2008)There is no time to dwell on it. The Sun (2009)She had not dwelt upon the fact that she had no other real refuge on earth. Frances Hodgson Burnett Emily Fox-Seton (1901)He does not dwell long on his most famous son. Times, Sunday Times (2010)The last thing you want to do is to dwell on your past. Hambly, Dr Kenneth Banish Anxiety - how to stop worrying and take charge of your life (1991) Something to dwell on for the one in four passengers whose flights were delayed last year. Times, Sunday Times (2015)It is a waste of time to dwell on it. Vera Peiffer POSITIVE THINKING: Everything you have always known about positive thinking but were afraid to put into practice (2001)And not dwell too long on the duff stuff. Times, Sunday Times (2010)Not that she dwells on the past. The Sun (2013)But we won't dwell on that. Times, Sunday Times (2014)When life is not going to plan, look for solutions rather than dwell on problems. The Sun (2014)It's not something to dwell on. The Sun (2010)Invisible from the road, its hills and woods and ponds are overlooked by a big house in which dwells a princess. Times, Sunday Times (2015)I won't dwell too much on the gameplay. The Sun (2014)I won't dwell on it with the players. Times, Sunday Times (2009)He does not simply say that we are mortal; he dwells on that fact, emphasizes it. Marcus J. Borg READING THE BIBLE AGAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME: Taking the Bible Seriously but Not Literally. (2001)

Trends of 'dwell'

In Common Usage. dwell is one of the 10000 most commonly used words in the Collins dictionary

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Translations for 'dwell'

British English: dwell VERB

If you dwell on something, especially something unpleasant, you think, speak, or write about it a lot or for quite a long time.

I'd rather not dwell on the past.

American English: dwell
Brazilian Portuguese: remoer
Chinese: 细想
European Spanish: vivir
French: revenir
German: verweilen bei
Italian: soffermarsi
Japanese: くよくよ考える
Korean: 연연하다
European Portuguese: remoer
Latin American Spanish: vivir

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Nearby words of 'dwell'

Related Terms of 'dwell'

Source

Definition of dwell from the Collins English Dictionary

The past simple tense

Typical forms of this tense are as in: I met her. She met him. I went there. She went there. Because the past simple consists of one word only, the past simple tense of do, which is did,...