English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology

verb

transpire

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Transpire (verb) means to happen or occur. Example: “Let me know what transpires at the meeting.”

verb

1

disputed by some usage guides To happen or occur.

"Let me know what transpires at the meeting."

"Nobody could say exactly what had transpired that night."

2

To become known; to come to light, especially after being hidden or unclear.

"It later transpired that he had never held a licence."

"Nothing had transpired about the negotiations by the time we went to press."

3

technical In botany, to give off water vapour through the pores of a leaf.

"A mature oak can transpire hundreds of litres of water on a hot day."

How to use transpire

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo come out or be found out — or, loosely, to happen.

When to use it

Formal and slightly journalistic. "It transpired that" is the standard frame in news reporting for a fact revealed after the event.

Memory tip

The construction "it transpired that…" is always safe; if you mean simply "happen", "happen" is the plainer choice.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

occur → emerge → expire → perspire →

Common pairings

it transpired that as it transpired later transpired transpire that

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “transpire” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Let me know what _____ at the meeting.

Etymology

From Latin trans- "across, through" and spirare "to breathe", via French transpirer. The original English sense was the botanical one of vapour passing through a surface, from which the figurative sense of information leaking out developed.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

happen occur take place come about emerge come out come to light become apparent transpirate

Related words

be chance issue result happen appear pop exist

Rhymes for transpire

ire fire wire tire lire dire hire mire sire afire Zaire spire

See all rhymes for transpire →

Frequently asked questions

Does transpire mean "happen"?

In everyday usage, yes — it has meant "happen" for over two centuries and appears that way in respected writing. Some traditionalists still object, arguing the word should be reserved for "become known", so in formal prose "it transpired that" is the safer construction and "what transpired" the riskier one.

What is the difference between transpire and occur?

Occur is neutral and applies to anything that happens. Transpire in its stricter sense adds the idea of something previously concealed coming out, so "it transpired that the accounts were falsified" says the fact emerged, not merely that it happened.

What does transpire mean in biology?

It means to release water vapour through the stomata of leaves. Transpiration pulls water up from the roots and is a major part of the water cycle, which is why deforestation measurably changes local rainfall.

What is the meaning of transpire?

"transpire" (verb) means to happen or occur.

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