exhale

[eks-heyl, ek-seyl]

verb (used without object)

exhaled, exhaling 

1. to emit breath or vapor; breathe out.

2. to pass off as vapor; pass off as an effluence.

verb (used with object)

exhaled, exhaling 

1. to breathe out; emit (air, vapor, sound, etc.).

   to exhale a sigh.

2. to give off as vapor.

   The engine exhaled steam.

3. to draw out as a vapor or effluence; evaporate.

exhale

/ ɛksˈheɪl, ɪɡˈzeɪl /

verb

1. to expel (breath, tobacco smoke, etc) from the lungs; breathe out

2. to give off (air, vapour, fumes, etc) or (of air, vapour, etc) to be given off; emanate

Other Word Forms

• exhalable adjective
• exhalation noun
• unexhaled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of exhale¹

1350–1400; Middle English exalen < Latin exhālāre, equivalent to ex- ex- ¹ + hālāre to breathe

Word History and Origins

Origin of exhale¹

C14: from Latin exhālāre to breathe out, from hālāre to breathe

Example Sentences

Together, the crowd exhaled three long, loud sighs, then tapped their chests in unison, repeating softly: “This is my heart. This is my heart. This is my heart.”

From Los Angeles Times

Then you go along the bottom and you exhale for four seconds.

From Los Angeles Times

However you play it, avocado brings richness and calm — a buttery green exhale before the plunge.

From Salon

One day Marten repeatedly exhaled so loudly during the evidence that the whole courtroom heard.

From BBC

“There is a process that’s happening right now where it’s like an exhale. I’m like, whatever will be will be,” Victor says.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• breathe 
• emit 
• give off 
• let out