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 of exhale

• 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

Choose the private repair that helps your nervous system finally exhale and reset your inner pace today. — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Aug. 2026

Also called square breathing, this four-step method asks children to inhale for four counts, hold for four counts, exhale for four counts and hold again for four counts. — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Aug. 2026

For bubble breathing, BetterHelp recommends having the child hold out a finger as a pretend wand, close their eyes, breathe in to a count of five, pause and then exhale slowly. — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 10 Aug. 2026

By the time the family reconvenes at the house, the room exhales. — Jp Mangalindan, Time, 31 July 2026

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