expire

ex·pire

verb
\ik-ˈspī(-ə)r, oftenest for vi 3 and vt 2 ek-\

ex·piredex·pir·ing

Definition of EXPIRE

intransitive verb

1

: to breathe one's last breath : die

2

: to come to an end

3

: to emit the breath

transitive verb

1

obsolete : conclude

2

: to breathe out from or as if from the lungs

3

archaic : emit

Examples of EXPIRE

1. My driver's license has expired.
2. She expired after a long illness.
3. measuring the volume of air expired from the lungs

Origin of EXPIRE

Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Anglo-French espirer to breathe out, from Latin exspirare, from ex- + spirare to breathe

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to EXPIRE

Synonyms: break off, break up, close, conclude, dead-end, determine, die, discontinue, elapse, end, cease, finish, go, halt, lapse, leave off, let up, pass, quit, stop, terminate, wind up, wink (out)

Antonyms: continue, hang on, persist

Related Words: desist (from), lay off (of), refrain (from); give over [British], knock off, pack (up or in); break down, conk (out), cut out, stall; pause, stay, suspend; abate, peter (out), wind down

Near Antonyms: draw out, extend, prolong, protract

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with EXPIRE

attire, backfire, bemire, catch fire, cross fire, denier, desire, entire, for hire, fox fire, Greek fire, grey friar, hang fire, hellfire, live wire, on fire, prior, rimfire, sapphire, sea fire, snow tire, town crier, trip wire, umpire, watch fire, white friar