1. To fill something with air or gas: Some items that can be inflated are balls, mattresses, tires, or boats in order to bring them to a desired size, shape, and firmness for use.
2. To make something appear greater: Little Ivy wanted to exaggerate or inflate the importance of herself by acting like a grownup!
3. In economics, an increase of prices or money supply: The cost of gas at the gas stations inflated becoming higher and higher from day to day.