dwell

verb

ˈdwel How to pronounce dwell (audio)
dwelled ˈdweld How to pronounce dwell (audio)
ˈdwelt
 or dwelt ˈdwelt How to pronounce dwell (audio) ; dwelling
Synonyms of dwell

intransitive verb

1
: to remain for a time
dwell in the hallway
2
a
: to live as a resident
the town in which he dwelled for eight years
the dwelling place of the gods
b
: exist, lie
where the heart of the matter dwells
3
a
: to keep the attention directed
—used with on or upon
tried not to dwell on my fears
b
: to speak or write insistently
—used with on or upon
reporters dwelling on the recent scandal
dweller
ˈdwe-lər How to pronounce dwell (audio)
noun

Synonyms of dwell

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Examples of dwell in a Sentence

a cave where bats dwell dwelling with a farm family as an exchange student in France
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
According to Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley, there’s no need for Savaiinaea to dwell on what happened last season. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 2 Aug. 2026 Instead of dwelling on the crime, the owners decided to respond with humor, posting the video on Instagram with a mock 0-star review for the burglary crew. — Charlie De Mar, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026 In the 2014 sci-fi film Ex Machina, Oscar Isaac played a reclusive AI-tech billionaire dwelling in an architectural masterpiece—the Juvet Landscape Hotel—and a private summer home in Valldal, Norway. — Catherine Dunwoody, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 Hwang’s most important goal is always her next one, so there’s no reason to dwell on the last race or yesterday. — Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for dwell

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English dwellan to go astray, hinder; akin to Old High German twellen to tarry

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dwell was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing dwell

Rhymes for dwell

See All Rhymes for dwell

Browse Nearby Words

dweeble
dwell
dweller
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dwell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dwell. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

dwell

verb
ˈdwel How to pronounce dwell (audio)
dwelled ˈdweld How to pronounce dwell (audio) ˈdwelt How to pronounce dwell (audio) or dwelt ˈdwelt How to pronounce dwell (audio) ; dwelling
1
: to stay for a while
2
: to live in a place : reside
3
: to keep the attention directed
dwelled on their mistakes
dweller noun

More from Merriam-Webster on dwell

Nglish: Translation of dwell for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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