sigh

1 of 2

verb

sighed; sighing; sighs

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 noun

sigh

2 of 2

noun

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

Examples of sigh in a Sentence

Verb 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 on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Verb
Thatcher was more cerebral and sometimes sighed at Reagan’s loose command of policy details. Danny Heitman, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 Oct. 2024 The wind sighs: Save me, Lord, for the waters have compassed my soul. Tomas Tranströmer, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024
Noun
Here’s how to counter a less-than-ideal offer and negotiate for a higher wage: Watch your tone Negotiations are fraught with emotion; offering a curt response or exasperated sigh could kill the discussion, fast. Morgan Smith, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2024 In many ways, the morning also brought a collective sigh of relief. Stephanie Castellano, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sigh 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sigh was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near sigh

Cite this Entry

“Sigh.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sigh. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

sigh

1 of 2 verb
1
: to take or let out a long loud breath (as in weariness or relief)
2
: to make a sound like sighing
wind sighing in the branches
3
: yearn sense 1
sighing for the good old days

sigh

2 of 2 noun
1
: an often involuntary act of sighing especially when expressing a feeling
2
: the sound of gently moving or escaping air
the sighs of a summer breeze

More from Merriam-Webster on sigh

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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