[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/dwell/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [D](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/d/) / dwell

# dwell

verb (dwell, dwells, dwelt or dwelled, dwelling)

«dwell» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (formal or old-fashioned) To live somewhere: Bears dwell in the forest. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dwell/#m1)
2. dwell on / upon = keep thinking or talking about something, usually something sad or bad: Don't dwell on your mistakes. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dwell/#m2)

### In the lessons

In stories and science books animals «dwell» in places (cave-dwelling bats, city dwellers); in everyday advice «don't dwell on it» means stop worrying about something that has happened. Phrases: «dwell on», «city dwellers», «cave-dwelling».

### Examples

- Long ago, people dwelt in caves. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dwell/#x1)
- Owls dwell in hollow trees. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dwell/#x2)
- Don't dwell on the test you failed; get ready for the next one. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dwell/#x3)
- She dwelt on the sad news all day. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dwell/#x4)
- Most city dwellers live in flats. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dwell/#x5)
- Strange fish dwell deep in the ocean. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dwell/#x6)
- Only wives and maidens dwell there. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dwell/#x7)

### Note

Past: dwelt (UK, more common) or dwelled (US). Noun: dwelling = a house or home (formal); dweller = a person or animal that lives somewhere. In everyday speech say «live», not «dwell».

## In Jewish tradition

To live or stay in a place. God also "dwells" among Israel in the sanctuary.

**Interpretation.** The rabbis call God's dwelling presence the Shekhinah, and read "I may dwell among them" as meaning in each person, not only in the building.

### Examples

- And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. (Torah EXO.25.8, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/dwell/#x1)
- And Abimelech said: 'Behold, my land is before thee: dwell where it pleaseth thee.' (Torah GEN.20.15, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/dwell/#x2)
- Now therefore, we pray thee, let thy servants dwell in the land of Goshen.' (Torah GEN.47.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/dwell/#x3)
- Who shall dwell upon Thy holy mountain? (Writings PSA.15.1, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/dwell/#x4)
- Yea, the LORD will dwell therein for ever. (Writings PSA.68.17, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/dwell/#x5)
- Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?' (Prophets ISA.33.14, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/dwell/#x6)

### Note

Past: dwelt (UK, more common) or dwelled (US). Noun: dwelling = a house or home (formal); dweller = a person or animal that lives somewhere. In everyday speech say «live», not «dwell».

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «dwell» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dwell/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«dwell» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/dwell.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «dwell» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/dwell/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«dwell» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/dwell.html) on Mova free.