Word
expire
Phoneticsex·pire, stress on the second syllable
US/ɪkˈspaɪɹ/
UK/ɛkspˈaɪə/
Definitions
01to become invalid
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to stop being valid because a fixed period of time has ended.
v. to come to an end or cease to be valid; typically used of documents, contracts, or subscriptions.
日本語:切れる※
“I need to renew my driver's license before it expires next Tuesday.”
“The introductory offer is set to expire at midnight, after which the standard monthly subscription rate will be applied automatically.”
Usage
This verb is intransitive and does not take a direct object when referring to documents or time periods.
Pitfall
My passport will be expired next month.
My passport will expire next month.
In this sense, 'expire' is an intransitive verb. You do not need the 'be' auxiliary to describe the action of running out.
02to die
C1 · Advanced Literary · Formal
v. to die or take a last breath.
v. to breathe one's last; to die. This usage is highly formal or literary.
“The old king expired quietly in his sleep surrounded by his family.”
“The patient expired shortly after the final rites were administered, ending a long and courageous battle with the illness.”
Teaching tip
In modern speech, 'died' or 'passed away' is much more common; 'expired' can sound cold or overly clinical when referring to people.
Antonyms
03to breathe out
C2 · Proficiency Medicine Technical
v. to breathe air out of your lungs.
v. to exhale; to breathe out air from the lungs. This is the technical opposite of 'inspire' in a physiological context.
“The doctor asked the patient to expire slowly into the tube.”
“During the stress test, the technician monitored the volume of air the athlete could expire in a single breath.”
Usage
Can be used both transitively (to expire air) and intransitively.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “expire” in context.
Verb
01. allow the membership to expire
“She decided to allow her gym membership to expire since she rarely had time to exercise.”
verb + noun + infinitive
Noun
02. contract expires
“Once the current lease contract expires, the landlord intends to renovate the entire building.”
noun + verb
03. passport expires
“You should check if your passport expires within the next six months before booking your international flight.”
noun + verb
04. warranty expires
“The manufacturer will no longer cover repair costs after the two-year warranty expires.”
noun + verb
Adverb
05. expire prematurely
“The temporary work permit expired prematurely due to a change in the company's legal status.”
verb + adv
06. shortly expire
“Please be aware that your annual subscription will shortly expire, and your access will be restricted.”
adv + verb
Real-World Examples
“Trump's threat on Oman, which has been holding its own talks with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, comes as a 60-day window for peace negotiations expires.” “Manufacturer contracts for connected services can also expire.” Etymology
From Middle English expire, from Middle French expirer, from Latin expīrō, exspīrō, from ex- (“out”) + spīrō (“breathe, be alive”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Related words
Domain
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/expire
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0