What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
bloated
Example
I ate so much at the buffet that I feel bloated now. [bloated: adjective]
Example
Her face looked bloated after she cried for hours. [bloated: past participle]
swollen
Example
His ankle was swollen after he twisted it during the soccer game. [swollen: adjective]
Example
The mosquito bite caused her arm to become swollen and itchy. [swollen: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Bloated is more commonly used than swollen in everyday language, especially when referring to digestive issues or the aftermath of a large meal. Swollen, on the other hand, is more specific and commonly used in medical or technical contexts to describe the enlargement of body parts due to injury, infection, or medical conditions.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between bloated and swollen?
While bloated is commonly used in informal and casual contexts, swollen is more formal and often used in medical or technical discussions.
