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inflate

[ɪnˈfleɪt]

inflate Definition

  • 1to fill something with air or gas so that it becomes larger, often causing it to become stiff or tight
  • 2to increase the value or price of something, especially by an excessive amount
  • 3to make something seem more important or impressive than it really is

Using inflate: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "inflate" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    She inflated the balloon until it burst.

  • Example

    The company inflated the prices of their products during the holiday season.

  • Example

    He tends to inflate his accomplishments on his resume.

  • Example

    The politician inflated the numbers to make it seem like he had more support.

inflate Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for inflate

Antonyms for inflate

Idioms Using inflate

  • to rapidly increase in size or amount

    Example

    The company's profits inflated like a balloon after they introduced the new product line.

  • inflate the numbers

    to exaggerate or manipulate data or statistics to make them seem more favorable

    Example

    The school district was caught inflating the numbers to make it seem like their students were performing better than they actually were.

  • inflate someone's head

    to give someone an exaggerated sense of self-importance

    Example

    His parents always praised him excessively, which inflated his head and made him arrogant.

Phrases with inflate

  • inflate one's ego

    to make oneself feel more important or superior than others

    Example

    He always talks about his achievements to inflate his ego.

  • to add air to a tire to bring it to the recommended pressure level

    Example

    I need to inflate my bike tire before I go for a ride.

  • to increase the value of a currency in relation to other currencies

    Example

    The government decided to inflate the currency to boost exports.

Origins of inflate

from Latin 'inflare', meaning 'to blow into'

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Summary: inflate in Brief

The verb 'inflate' [ɪnˈfleɪt] means to fill something with air or gas, increase the value or price of something, or make something seem more important than it really is. It can refer to physical objects like balloons or tires, as well as abstract concepts like egos or statistics. Examples include 'She inflated the balloon until it burst,' and 'The politician inflated the numbers to make it seem like he had more support.'

How do native speakers use this expression?