inflator

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

in•flate /ɪnˈfleɪt/   v., -flat•ed, -flat•ing. 

1. to (cause to) be expanded with air or gas: [~ + object]
   Did you inflate the tires to the proper pressure?
   [no object]
   Those balloons inflate easily.
2. to puff up with pride, vanity, etc.:
   [~ + object] He will try to inflate your ego.
3. Business to increase too much, such as the level of prices:
   [~ + object] The company inflated its prices during the oil shortage.

in•flat•a•ble, adj.: 

an inflatable life raft.

See -flat-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

in•flate  (in flāt′), v., -flat•ed, -flat•ing. 
v.t. 

1. to distend;
   swell or puff out;
   dilate:
   The king cobra inflates its hood.
2. to cause to expand or distend with air or gas:
   to inflate a balloon.
3. to puff up with pride, satisfaction, etc.
4. to elate.
5. Economics, Business to expand (money, prices, an economy, etc.) unduly in amount, value, or size;
   affect with inflation.

v.i. 

6. to become inflated.
7. to increase, esp. suddenly and substantially:
   The $10 subscription has inflated to $25.

• Latin inflātus past participle of inflāre to blow on or into, puff out, equivalent. to in- in-² + flā- blow² + -tus past participle suffix
• 1470–80

in•flat′er, in•fla′tor, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. See expand. 

Antonyms

• 1. deflate.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

inflate / ɪnˈfleɪt/ verb

1. to expand or cause to expand by filling with gas or air
2. (transitive) to cause to increase excessively; puff up; swell: to inflate one's opinion of oneself
3. (transitive) to cause inflation of (prices, money, etc)
4. (transitive) to raise in spirits; elate
5. (intransitive) to undergo economic inflation

Etymology: 16th Century: from Latin inflāre to blow into, from flāre to blow

inˈflatedly adverb

inˈflatedness noun

inˈflater, inˈflator noun