Definition of "inflate" in English

verb

1. (transitive) To enlarge an object by pushing air (or a gas) into it; to raise or expand abnormally

   • You inflate a balloon by blowing air into it.

2. (intransitive) To enlarge by filling with air (or a gas).

   • The balloon will inflate if you blow into it.

3. (figurative) To swell; to puff up.

   • to inflate somebody with pride or vanity

4. (transitive, computing) To decompress (data) that was previously deflated.

5. (figurative, transitive) To represent something as being more important, better, or worse than it actually is; to exaggerate.

   • Israel routinely claims that the Gaza Ministry of Health, which is run by Hamas, has a tendency to inflate the number of Palestinian casualties in the Gaza Strip.