perspire

verb

per·​spire pər-ˈspī(-ə)r 

perspired; perspiring

intransitive verb

: to emit matter through the skin

specifically : to secrete and emit perspiration

Examples of perspire in a Sentence

I was nervous and could feel myself start to perspire.

She ran two miles and wasn't even perspiring.

Recent Examples on the Web

The converter raised the voltage generated by the perspiring bike riders to the levels necessary to light up a microwatt-level LED and power a digital wristwatch. —Patrick Mercier, IEEE Spectrum, 18 June 2020

Antiperspirant prevents you from perspiring, just as the name suggests. —Chioma Nnadi, Vogue, 23 Jan. 2025

The products work for athletes who are always moving and perspiring, but WYN is also meant for parents running after toddlers or prepping for half-marathons. —Danyel Smith, Essence, 16 Oct. 2024

Those who perspire salty and heavy may have large electrolyte losses with shorter workouts, making supplements more important. —Matt Fuchs, TIME, 16 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French perspirer, from Middle French, from Latin per- through + spirare to blow, breathe — more at per-

First Known Use

circa 1682, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for perspire

• admire
• afire
• aspire
• backfire
• esquire
• expire
• haywire
• hellfire
• inquire
• inspire
• newswire
• rehire

Kids Definition

perspire

verb

per·​spire pər-ˈspī(ə)r 

perspired; perspiring

: to give off perspiration : sweat

Medical Definition

perspire

intransitive verb

per·​spire pər-ˈspī(ə)r 

perspired; perspiring

: to emit matter through the skin

specifically : to secrete and emit perspiration