kvell

English

Etymology

From Yiddish קוועלן (kveln), from Middle High German quellen, from Old High German quellan, from Proto-West Germanic *kwellan. Cognate with German quellen and English quell (source, spring).

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?’