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 house was built in 2010 after a late 1980s dwelling on the lot was torn down. —David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 29 Mar. 2025

Instead of dwelling on what’s missing or feeling behind, leaders start focusing on what’s within their control. —Forrester, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025

Even when the claims are ridiculous, or Rahma vehemently disagrees, the lack of time to dwell gives the videos a sense of both urgency and fun. —Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 26 Mar. 2025

According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average premium for $300,000 worth of dwelling coverage in the state is about $2,205, slightly above the national average. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 23 Mar. 2025

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

Rhymes for dwell

• bel
• belle
• cel
• cell
• dell
• el
• ell
• fel
• fell
• gel
• gell
• jell

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