inhale
2 synonyms and 1 antonym for inhale, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To breathe air or another substance into the lungs.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
breathe in
Antonyms
How to use inhale
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
inhale deeply
inhale sharply
The "eat quickly" sense is informal and often used humorously.
Etymology
From Latin inhalare, "to breathe on," from "in-" + halare ("to breathe").
Full origin of inhale →Frequently asked questions
What does “inhale” mean?
The word “inhale” means to breathe air or another substance into the lungs. In plain terms, to breathe in — or, casually, to eat something really fast.
How do you pronounce “inhale”?
“Inhale” is pronounced ihn-HAYL (/ɪnˈheɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “inhale” in a sentence?
Here is “inhale” used in a sentence: “Inhale slowly through your nose, then exhale.”
What is the opposite of “inhale”?
The opposite of “inhale” — its antonyms — is exhale.
What part of speech is “inhale”?
“Inhale” is a verb.
Where does the word “inhale” come from?
The word “inhale” comes from Latin. From Latin inhalare, "to breathe on," from "in-" + halare ("to breathe").
Is “inhale” a common word?
“Inhale” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “inhale” have?
“Inhale” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to breathe air or another substance into the lungs.
