kvell

English

Etymology

From Yiddish קוועלן‎ (kveln), from an old Germanic word akin to German quellen (“well up”).

Pronunciation
  • (UK, US) IPA(key): /kvɛl/
  • Rhymes: -ɛl

Verb

kvell (third-person singular simple present kvells, present participle kvelling, simple past and past participle kvelled)

  1. (intransitive, US slang) To feel delighted and proud; to boast; to gloat.
    • 2013, Thomas Pynchon, Bleeding Edge, Vintage, published 2014, page 4:
      ‘Magnificent residence,’ she pretended to kvell, ‘maybe I'm in the wrong business?’
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