Word
exhale
Phoneticsex·hale, stress on the second syllable
US/ɛksˈheɪɫ/
UK/ɛkshˈeɪl/
Definition
v. to breathe air out of your lungs. You do this when you finish a deep breath or when you want to relax.
v. to breathe out; to expel air or gas from the lungs. Often used in medical or physiological contexts to describe the second phase of respiration.
Examples
“Take a deep breath and then exhale slowly.”
“The yoga instructor told the class to inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth.”
“As the tension in the room finally broke, the negotiator allowed himself to exhale a long, shaky breath he hadn't realized he was holding.”
Examples
simple
“Take a deep breath and then exhale slowly.”
contextual
“The yoga instructor told the class to inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth.”
complex
“As the tension in the room finally broke, the negotiator allowed himself to exhale a long, shaky breath he hadn't realized he was holding.”
Usage
The verb can be used both transitively (to exhale smoke) and intransitively (to breathe out).
Real-World Examples
“Then, slowly exhale all the air through your mouth over several seconds until your lungs are empty.” Etymology
From Middle French exhaler, from Latin exhalare, from ex (“out”) + halare (“to breathe”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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