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

Even in summer, evenings turn crisp, drawing locals and visitors alike outdoors to sip tea as the sun slips behind the escarpment and the mountain exhales its cool. —Anna Zacharias, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Jan. 2026

Today, the Knicks can exhale a sigh of relief. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 21 Jan. 2026

Everything about the under-the-radar destination encourages guests to exhale and enjoy the beauty before them. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 20 Jan. 2026

Understanding trees as living archives of human breath exhaled in joy, sorrow, elation or exhaustion is deeply meaningful for me. —Beronda L. Montgomery, PEOPLE, 19 Jan. 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