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?’