sigh
seye
Sigh (verb) means to let out a long, audible breath, usually as a sign of tiredness, sadness, relief, or frustration. Example: “Tom sighed heavily when he saw how much washing-up was waiting for him.”
verb
1
To let out a long, audible breath, usually as a sign of tiredness, sadness, relief, or frustration.
"Tom sighed heavily when he saw how much washing-up was waiting for him."
"She sighed and put down the phone after another rejection."
"He sighed with relief when the plane finally landed."
noun
1
A long, audible breath let out to express tiredness, sadness, relief, or frustration.
"With a sigh of relief, she sat down after the long exam."
"The teacher let out a weary sigh and rubbed her eyes."
"A deep sigh escaped him as he read the bad news."
How to use sigh
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo breathe out slowly and heavily, usually showing an emotion like tiredness or relief.
Common pairings
heave a sigh
sigh of relief
deep sigh
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Word forms
- Plural
- sighs
- Third person singular
- sighs
- Past tense
- sighed
- Archaic forms
- sighest, sighedst, sigheth
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Tom _____ heavily when he saw how much washing-up was waiting for him.
Etymology
From Middle English sighen, related to Old English sīcan, ultimately from a root meaning "to breathe out".
Synonyms
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Rhymes for sigh
See all rhymes for sigh →Frequently asked questions
What does “sigh” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “sigh”?
“Sigh” is pronounced seye (/saɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “sigh” in a sentence?
Here is “sigh” used in a sentence: “She sighed and put down the phone after another rejection.”
What part of speech is “sigh”?
Depending on how it is used, “sigh” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “sigh” come from?
The word “sigh” comes from Old English. From Middle English sighen, related to Old English sīcan, ultimately from a root meaning "to breathe out".
Is “sigh” a common word?
“Sigh” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “sigh” have?
“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.
What is the difference between "sigh" and "gasp"?
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.
What is "a sigh of relief"?
"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.
What is the difference between "sigh" and "groan"?
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.
What phrases commonly use "sigh"?
"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."
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