dwell

verb

ˈdwel 

dwelled ˈdweld 

ˈdwelt

or dwelt ˈdwelt  ; dwelling

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 

noun

Synonyms

• abide
• hang around
• remain
• stay
• stick around
• tarry

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

The frog — thought extinct for almost 20 years — no longer dwells in shaded areas near the forest’s mountain waterfalls. —Martin J. Kernan, Discover Magazine, 16 Nov. 2024

Many Democrats will dwell on the sequence of events that led to Biden’s withdrawal from the race in July. —Niall Stanage, The Hill, 6 Nov. 2024

Unlike Clinton, however, Harris did not dwell on the history-making aspect of her candidacy and the idea of Americans electing their first ever female Commander in Chief. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024

Gaga delivers this Cole Porter classic like a lullaby, indulging in the beauty of the song’s composition rather than dwelling on the lyrics’ regret. —Kristen S. Hé, Vulture, 25 Oct. 2024

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

Phrases Containing dwell

• dwell on/upon

Kids Definition

dwell

verb

ˈdwel 

dwelled ˈdweld  ˈdwelt  or dwelt ˈdwelt  ; 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