Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Whelm Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

🌊
Add to dictionary

whelm

[wɛlm ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

overcome emotionally

To whelm means to engulf or submerge completely, often in a metaphorical sense, such as overwhelming someone with emotions. It can also refer to a situation where one is overpowered or overwhelmed by events or feelings.

Synonyms

overcome, overwhelm, submerge.

Examples of usage

  • She was whelmed by the unexpected news.
  • The emotions whelmed him as he faced his past.
  • Nature's beauty can whelm the senses.
Context #2 | Verb

cover completely

In a literal sense, to whelm can mean to cover or envelop something completely, as in water whelming a landscape. This usage is less common but conveys a similar sense of totality.

Synonyms

envelop, overwhelm, submerge.

Examples of usage

  • The floodwaters whelmed the town.
  • In the storm, the sea whelmed the coastline.
  • Whelmed by the tide, the shoreline disappeared.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'whelm'

The word 'whelm' comes from the Old English 'hwilmian,' which meant to turn or overturn. It is related to the Old Norse word 'hvalmr,' meaning 'to cover' or 'to envelop.' Historically, 'whelm' was used in English to describe the act of overturning or submerging something, usually in relation to water. Over time, the term has evolved to encompass a broader sense of being overwhelmed emotionally or in situations. While its usage has declined, it remains a vivid term that captures the essence of being completely overcome or encompassed by an experience.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #39,410, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.