Exhale
/ɪɡˈzeɪl/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo breathe out air from the lungs.
/ɪɡˈzeɪl/
To breathe out
He exhaled slowly, trying to calm his nerves.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're blowing out birthday candles. When you blow, you exhale – you let the air out of your lungs. It's like a gentle puff of air!
👶 For kids: When you breathe out, you're exhaling!
More Examples
The yogi exhaled and held the pose.
Smoke exhaled from the chimney.
How It's Used
"The doctor instructed the patient to inhale deeply and then exhale slowly."
"Exhale as you lift the weight."
To release or give off (a vapor, a smell, etc.).
/ɪɡˈzeɪl/
To give off or release something (such as a smell)
The flowers exhaled a sweet fragrance.
💡 Simply: Imagine a freshly baked pie: it exhales a wonderful smell that fills the kitchen. It's like something is letting out a scent!
👶 For kids: When something gives out a smell, it's like exhaling a scent!
More Examples
The hot asphalt exhaled a thick, oily odor.
The factory exhaled pollutants into the air.
How It's Used
"The forest exhaled a damp, earthy fragrance after the rain."
"The perfume exhaled from the flowers."
From Latin *exhalare* 'to breathe out', from *ex-* 'out' + *halare* 'to breathe'.
Used since the 16th century, originally to describe the act of breathing out.
Memory tip
Think of 'ex-' meaning out and 'hale' meaning breath. Breathe *out* your breath!
Word Origin
"to breathe out"