Standard Lemma guide

intumescent

adj · noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • Received-Pronunciation: /ɪntjʊˈmɛsənt/
  • General-American: /ɪntuˈmɛsənt/
  • rhymes with -ɛsənt

1

adj

Meaning 1

That becomes swollen, especially upon exposure to heat.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

Any substance that swells on exposure to heat, thus increasing in volume and decreasing in density.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • Intumescents are used in some fire protection systems.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adjective satellite

Meaning 3

abnormally distended especially by fluids or gas

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • hungry children with bloated stomachs
  • he had a grossly distended stomach
  • eyes with puffed (or puffy) lids
  • swollen hands
  • tumescent tissue
  • puffy tumid flesh

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: puffy, tumescent, tumid, turgid

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From Latin intumēscēns, present participle of intumescō (“rise, swell”), from tumescō (“become inflated”).