dwell

UK: /ˈdwɛl/ US: /dwɛl/ ,(dwel)

Inflections of 'dwell' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

The past form "dwelt" is mainly used in UK English. It is correct in US English, but rare. Both "dwelled" and "dwelt" are correct in UK English.

dwells

v 3rd person singular

dwelling

v pres p

dwelled

v past (US & UK)

dwelt

v past (Mainly UK)

dwelled

v past p (US & UK)

dwelt

v past p (Mainly UK)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

dwell /dwɛl/   v. [no object] , dwelt /dwɛlt/  or dwelled, dwell•ing. 

1. to live or stay as a permanent resident;
   reside:
   He dwells in the country for most of the year.
2. dwell on or upon, [~ + on/upon + object] to think, speak, or write about for a long time or often:
   She dwelt at length on the similarities between the two paintings.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

dwell  (dwel), v., dwelt or dwelled, dwell•ing, n. 
v.i. 

1. to live or stay as a permanent resident;
   reside.
2. to live or continue in a given condition or state: to dwell in happiness.
3. to linger over, emphasize, or ponder in thought, speech, or writing (often fol. by on or upon): to dwell on a particular point in an argument.
4. (of a moving tool or machine part) to be motionless for a certain interval during operation.

n. 

5. [Mach.]
   • Mechanical Engineering a flat or cylindrical area on a cam for maintaining a follower in a certain position during part of a cycle.
   • Mechanical Engineering a period in a cycle in the operation of a machine or engine during which a given part remains motionless.

• bef. 900; Middle English dwellen to lead astray, stun, abide, Old English dwellan to lead or go astray, hinder; cognate with Old Norse dvelja

dwell′er, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

dwell / dwɛl/ verb (dwells, dwelling, dwelt / dwɛlt/, dwelled)(intransitive)

1. to live as a permanent resident
2. to live (in a specified state): to dwell in poverty

noun

1. a regular pause in the operation of a machine

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

ˈdweller noun