# exhale

/ɛksˈheɪɫ/ (US) · /ɛkshˈeɪl/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/exhale
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

to breathe air out of your lungs. You do this when you finish a deep breath or when you want to relax.

For teachers: 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.

## Usage notes

- The verb can be used both transitively (to exhale smoke) and intransitively (to breathe out).

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.