exhale

verb

ex·​hale eks-ˈhāl 

ek-ˈsāl

exhaled; exhaling

intransitive verb

1

: to rise or be given off as vapor

2

: to emit breath or vapor

transitive verb

1

a

: to breathe out

she exhaled a sigh

b

: to give forth (gaseous matter) : emit

2

archaic : to cause to be emitted in vapor

Synonyms

• expel
• blow (out)

Examples of exhale in a Sentence

She inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly, trying to relax.

before answering, the suspect exhaled a cloud of cigarette smoke

Recent Examples on the Web

Whatever irrigates the imagination and allows the soul to exhale. —James Parker, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025

If inhale takes 4 seconds, exhale for 16. —Ginny Whitelaw, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025

How to prevent mosquito bites Researchers at the University of Georgia say people dressed in dark colors who are actively moving about, and those who exhale more carbon dioxide, make attractive targets for hungry female mosquitoes. —Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 30 Aug. 2025

When police removed his key fob from his hand, Raibley allegedly exhaled and cursed, court documents said. —Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English exalen, from Latin exhalare, from ex- + halare to breathe

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Rhymes for exhale

• airmail
• assail
• avail
• bewail
• blackmail
• cattail
• cocktail
• curtail
• derail
• detail
• dovetail
• email

Kids Definition

exhale

verb

ex·​hale eks-ˈhāl 

exhaled; exhaling

1

: to breathe out

2

: to send forth (as gas or odor)

Medical Definition

exhale

verb

ex·​hale eks-ˈ(h)ā(ə)l 

exhaled; exhaling

intransitive verb

: to emit breath or vapor

transitive verb

: to breathe out