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

All that heat and humidity means people perspire profusely when engaging even in moderate physical activity. —ArsTechnica, 18 Sep. 2025

Learn about Outside Online's affiliate link policy Everyone sweats, but why do some people perspire more than others? —Carrie Bell, Outside, 17 Aug. 2025

In fact, a passenger who is visibly perspiring might trigger the need for a wand screening or extra pat down, according to a report from CNN. —Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 27 July 2025

But despite the importance of human sweating, there’s still a lot to learn about how humans perspire. —Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 25 July 2025

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