Word
perspiration
Phoneticsper·spi·ra·tion, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌpɝspɝˈeɪʃən/
UK/pəspəɹˈeɪʃən/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. the liquid that comes out of your skin when you are hot or exercising. It is a more formal way to say 'sweat'.
n. the salty fluid secreted by the sweat glands through the pores of the skin. Often used in medical or formal contexts to avoid the more blunt term 'sweat'.
Examples
“He wiped the perspiration from his forehead after the run.”
“The heavy humidity caused beads of perspiration to form on everyone's skin within minutes of stepping outside.”
“Success is often described as a combination of natural talent and intense perspiration, emphasizing that hard work is just as vital as innate ability.”
Examples
simple
“He wiped the perspiration from his forehead after the run.”
contextual
“The heavy humidity caused beads of perspiration to form on everyone's skin within minutes of stepping outside.”
complex
“Success is often described as a combination of natural talent and intense perspiration, emphasizing that hard work is just as vital as innate ability.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “perspiration” in context.
Verb
01. induce perspiration
“The spicy food and humid air helped to induce perspiration.”
verb + noun
02. perspiration breaks out
“A cold perspiration broke out across his skin when he heard the news.”
noun + verb
03. perspiration drips
“Perspiration dripped from his chin as he finished the final lap.”
noun + verb
04. wipe perspiration
“She used a towel to wipe perspiration from her face after the workout.”
verb + noun
Adjective
05. excessive perspiration
“Certain medical conditions can cause excessive perspiration even in cool weather.”
adj + noun
06. heavy perspiration
“The patient was suffering from fever and heavy perspiration.”
adj + noun
07. visible perspiration
“There was visible perspiration on his forehead as he waited for the results.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. beads of perspiration
“Tiny beads of perspiration formed on her upper lip during the interview.”
noun + prep + noun
09. trace of perspiration
“Despite the heat, there was not a single trace of perspiration on his suit.”
noun + prep + noun
10. be covered in perspiration
“By the end of the dance routine, the performers were covered in perspiration.”
11. mop the perspiration from
“He paused to mop the perspiration from his brow with a silk handkerchief.”
Usage
Typically uncountable when referring to the fluid itself; 'beads of' or 'drops of' are common partitives.
Real-World Examples
“But our scorn of sweat is entirely undeserved. Perspiration is vital to life.” Etymology
Borrowed from late Middle French perspiration, from perspirer (“perspire”), from Latin perspirare (“to blow or breathe constantly”), from per (“through”) + spirare (“to breathe, blow”). Morphologically perspire + -ation.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- 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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