yeah, there are a few ways it can be used. swell could mean to grow in magnitude or intensity. Like, "The music swelled." or it could mean like a wave. "With every swell the boat rocked more violently." It could also be used as in "wow, that's swell!" As in something is really cool or awesome, but people don't really use that one very much. Hope this helped :)

Dictionary definition of 'swell' As a verb: 1. To increase in size or volume as a result of internal pressure; expand. 2. a. To increase in force, size, number, or degree: Membership in the club swelled. b. To grow in loudness or intensity: "The din in front swelled to a tremendous chorus" (Stephen Crane). 3. To bulge out, as a sail. 4. a. To rise or extend above the surrounding level, as clouds. b. To rise in swells, as the sea. 5. a. To be or become filled or puffed up, as with pride, arrogance, or anger. b. To rise from within: Rage swelled within me. As a transitive verb: 1. To cause to increase in volume, size, number, degree, or intensity: The governor's full public disclosure only swelled the chorus of protests. 2. To fill with emotion. As a noun 1. a. The act or process of swelling. b. The condition of being swollen. 2. A swollen part; a bulge or protuberance. 3. A long wave on water that moves continuously without breaking. 4. A rise in the land; a rounded elevation. 5. Informal One who is fashionably dressed or socially prominent: society swells. The word 'swell' used in music a. A crescendo followed by a gradual diminuendo. b. The sign indicating such a crescendo. c. A device on an instrument, such as an organ or harpsichord, for regulating volume. As an adjective: 1. Fashionably elegant; stylish. 2. Excellent; wonderful: had a swell time.

To swell mainly means to increase in size, for example if you are sick your throat may swell up, or if you are stung by a bee, you will swell at the place where you were stung. Swell in the sea means the height of continuing waves, wave after wave, not just one way. "There is not much swell today." "There is a big swell today." It is not formal language but informal American English to say 'swell' to agree or say something is good. You can use it like OK, but 'swell' a bit more positive... And not everyone will understand.

There's two ways to use the word. One is "to swell" - like an ocean wave grows in power One is an adjective "swell" - like excellent http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/swell?s=t check this out for examples.