1. [v]  become inflated; "The sails ballooned"
2. [v]  fill with gas or air; "inflate a balloons"
3. [v]  exaggerate or make bigger; "The charges were inflated"
4. [v]  increase the amount or availability of, creating a rise in value; "inflate the currency"
5. [v]  cause prices to rise by increasing the available currency or credit; "The war inflated the economy"

1. \In*flate"\, p. a. [L. inflatus, p. p. of inflare to
   inflate; pref. in- in + flare to blow. See {Blow} to puff
   wind.]
   Blown in; inflated. --Chaucer.
   
   

2. \In*flate"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Inflated}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Inflating}.]
   1. To swell or distend with air or gas; to dilate; to expand;
      to enlarge; as, to inflate a bladder; to inflate the
      lungs.
   
            When passion's tumults in the bosom rise, Inflate
            the features, and enrage the eyes.    --J. Scott of
                                                  Amwell.
   
   2. Fig.: To swell; to puff up; to elate; as, to inflate one
      with pride or vanity.
   
            Inflate themselves with some insane delight.
                                                  --Tennyson.
   
   3. To cause to become unduly expanded or increased; as, to
      inflate the currency.
   
   

3. \In*flate"\, v. i.
   To expand; to fill; to distend.
   
   

deflate