inflated
UK: ɪnˈfleɪtɪd | US: ɪnˈfleɪtɪd
adj. 1. Filled with air or gas; expanded.
adj. 2. Exaggerated or pompous in style or claims.
v. (past tense of inflate) 3. To cause to expand by filling with air or gas.
The word inflated originates from Latin inflatus, the past participle of inflare ("to blow into"), combining in- (into) and flare (to blow). The root flat (from flare) evolved into English via Old French, retaining the core idea of expansion. Over time, inflated gained figurative meanings, such as "exaggerated," mirroring the physical act of overfilling.
The inflated balloon floated effortlessly in the air.
His inflated ego made collaboration difficult.
The company reported inflated profits to attract investors.
She inflated the tires before the long trip.
Critics dismissed his speech as inflated rhetoric.