sigh

1 of 2

verb

ˈsī 

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

ˈsī(-ə)r 

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

Synonyms

Verb

• sough

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

Verb

Cue melancholic sighs around the office, as other members of the team fantasize about being the kind of people who make time for an elaborate dinner on a Monday, instead of attempting to clear their inboxes while scoffing a Deliveroo or cobbling together a girl dinner. —Laura Hawkins, Vogue, 16 July 2024

After netting a volley to close one early 11-stroke exchange, Djokovic sighed and walked to his sideline seat to grab a purple-and-green towel for dabbing at sweat. —Howard Fendrich, Hartford Courant, 14 July 2024

Noun

The first meeting June 1 — long sigh — when the Sky’s Chennedy Carter committed a flagrant foul on Clark and Reese popped off the bench to applaud her teammate, created a hysteria of hot takes. —Candace Buckner, Washington Post, 10 July 2024

Best Hotels and Resorts Best Things to Do Best Time to Visit How to Get There How to Get Around Mention a trip to the Maldives, and you’re immediately met with wistful sighs. —Katie Lockhart, Travel + Leisure, 10 July 2024

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

Phrases Containing sigh

• breathe a sigh of relief

Kids Definition

sigh

1 of 2 verb

ˈsī 

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