sigh

verb \ ˈsī \

Definition of sigh

intransitive verb

1 :to take a deep audible breath (as in weariness or relief)

2 :to make a sound like sighing

wind sighing in the branches

3 :grieve, yearn

sighing for days gone by

transitive verb

1 :to express by sighs

2 archaic :to utter sighs over :mourn

—

sigher

play \ˈsī(-ə)r\ noun

See sigh defined for English-language learners

See sigh defined for kids

Examples of sigh in a Sentence

He sighed with relief when he saw that he passed the test.
The wind sighed through the trees.
“I may never see my old home again,” she sighed.

Recent Examples of sigh from the Web

Either way, the long sighs at lopsided in-state rivalry scheduling might be seeing their last days.

— zach osterman, The Courier-Journal, "Insider: Big Ten close to doing right by IU-Purdue rivalry," 31 July 2017
Europeans sigh patronizingly at the United States as a knowing parent would at an unruly child.

— charles c. w. cooke, National Review, "My American Dream," 4 July 2017
My primary care doctor sighed and took a pregnant pause.

— jenna rosenstein, Harper's BAZAAR, "Adenomyosis: The Unknown Uterus Disease Women Don't Know They Have," 22 June 2017
For a brief moment Tuesday evening at Kauffman Stadium, Mike Moustakas gave the Royals an opportunity to sigh in relief.

— maria torres, kansascity.com, "Royals’ Mike Moustakas mashes milestone home run," 20 June 2017
After opening statements, Tensing sighed, bit his lip and looked down several times while a video of the traffic stop captured by Tensing’s body-worn camera played for the jury.

— janice morse, The Seattle Times, "Prosecutor: Police shooting in traffic stop “clearly” murder," 8 June 2017
After opening statements, Tensing sighed, bit his lip and looked down several times while a video of the traffic stop captured by Tensing's body-worn camera played for the jury.

— crimesider staff, CBS News, "Prosecutor: Police shooting in traffic stop "clearly" murder," 8 June 2017
Others may sigh at the studio’s increasing reliance on sequels.

— david sims, The Atlantic, "Your 2017 Summer Movie Preview," 7 June 2017
The park board sighed at his requests for a Rockfest ban, then gladly accepted promoter AEG’s $60,000 rent payment and promise to clean up the mess.

— mike hendricks, kansascity.com, "Rockfest’s move to Kansas Speedway is a hit with fans, critics," 3 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sigh.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of sigh

Middle English sihen, alteration of sichen, from Old English sīcan; akin to Middle Dutch versiken to sigh

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

sigh Synonyms

Synonyms

sough

Related Words

gasp, huff, pant, puff, wheeze; breathe, respire; exhale, expire, inhale, inspire; sniff, snort, snuffle; yawn

sigh

noun

Definition of sigh

1 :an often involuntary act of sighing especially when expressing an emotion or feeling (such as weariness or relief)

2 :the sound of gently moving or escaping air

sighs of the summer breeze

Recent Examples of sigh from the Web

Those who live and work along Spesutia and Old Stepney Roads in Perryman breathed a sigh of relief after the board voted in favor of keeping a neighboring 88-acre plot residential rather than change the zoning to allow industrial uses.

— david anderson, The Aegis, "Harford planning board nixes big industrial rezoning request, supports most others," 10 Aug. 2017
The rest of the country’s executives, presumably, aren’t beathing a sigh of relief just yet.

— maya kosoff, The Hive, "The One Man Wall Street Fears More Than Trump," 31 July 2017
Nick Rasmussen, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, says the Islamic State group controls less territory, but added that the U.S. cannot breathe a sigh of relief from a diminished threat.

— deb riechmann, The Seattle Times, "US counterterror official says Islamic State still a threat," 21 July 2017
WITH the defeat of Marine Le Pen in her bid for the French presidency, establishment politicians in rich countries breathed a sigh of relief.

— The Economist, "The power of populists," 20 July 2017
Owners of the CrossFit gym in McCalla since 2011, the Dills tout acai (pronounced ah-sigh-EE) bowls as a tasty and healthy meal replacement.

— eric velasco, AL.com, "New food truck serves trendy and nutritious acai bowls," 17 July 2017
Since then, some individuals developed resistance, and conservationists breathed a sigh of relief.

— elizabeth pennisi, Science | AAAS, "Rogue chromosome may be behind new contagious cancer striking Tasmanian devils," 10 July 2017
After the ceremony at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Westwood, California, Monk navigated the newlyweds through the ravenous throngs of paparazzi waiting outside, breathing a sigh of relief once they were safely ensconced in their limo.

— maria carter, Country Living, "The Sad Incident That Left Valerie Bertinelli In Tears on Her Wedding Day," 30 June 2017
Reluctantly, Ali reaches into her bag with a sigh...and pulls out a red jewelry box.

— de elizabeth, Teen Vogue, ""Pretty Little Liars" Finale Recap: "A.D." Is Revealed," 28 June 2017

First Known Use of sigh

14th century

SIGH Defined for English Language Learners

sigh

verb

Definition of sigh for English Language Learners

: to take in and let out a long, loud breath in a way that shows you are bored, disappointed, relieved, etc.
: to make a sound like sighing
: to say (something) with a sigh