sigh

The word “sigh” means to let out a long, audible breath, usually as a sign of tiredness, sadness, relief, or frustration. In plain terms, to breathe out slowly and heavily, usually showing an emotion like tiredness or relief.

“Sigh” is pronounced seye (/saɪ/ in IPA).

Here is “sigh” used in a sentence: “She sighed and put down the phone after another rejection.”

Depending on how it is used, “sigh” can be a verb and a noun.

The word “sigh” comes from Old English. From Middle English sighen, related to Old English sīcan, ultimately from a root meaning "to breathe out".

“Sigh” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

“Sigh” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to let out a long, audible breath, usually as a sign of tiredness, sadness, relief, or frustration.

A "sigh" is a long, slow breath let out to show tiredness, sadness, relief, or frustration, while a "gasp" is a sudden, sharp intake of breath, usually caused by shock or surprise. A sigh releases air outward; a gasp pulls it quickly inward.

"A sigh of relief" is a common expression describing the long breath people naturally let out when a worry or danger has passed. It is used both literally, for the actual breath, and figuratively, to say that someone feels reassured.

A "sigh" is a breath released to express feelings such as weariness or relief and is usually quiet, while a "groan" is a low, often louder vocal sound expressing pain, displeasure, or complaint. You might sigh with relief but groan with frustration.

"Sigh" appears in expressions such as "sigh of relief," "sigh of contentment," and "heavy sigh." As a verb it often takes a preposition, as in "sigh with exhaustion" or "sigh over something lost."