sighverb [ I ]
uk/saɪ/us/saɪ/B2 to breathe out slowly and noisily, expressing tiredness, sadness, pleasure, etc.:
She sighed deeply and sat down.
[ + speech ] "I wish he was here," she sighed (= she said with a sigh).
If the wind sighs, it makes a long, soft sound as it moves through trees:
I lay on my back, listening to the sound of the wind sighing in the trees.
More examples
- He sighed heavily and returned to his book.
- 'I'll never understand these instructions,' he sighed.
- When I suggested a walk, she simply sighed.
- He sighed in despair as he read the letter.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Animal physiology: breathing & stopping breathing
- aerobic respiration
- anaerobic
- asphyxia
- breath
- breathable
- breathe
- breathing
- breathless
- gasp
- heave
- huff
- intake
- respiration
- respiratory
- sleep apnoea
- strangle
- strangulate
- suffocate
- suffocating
- winded
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Wind & winds
sighnoun [ C ]
uk/saɪ/us/saɪ/B2 a slow, noisy breath:
He leaned back in his seat with a sigh.
"Ah, you're here," she said and heaved/let out/gave a sigh of relief.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Animal physiology: breathing & stopping breathing
- aerobic respiration
- anaerobic
- asphyxia
- breath
- breathable
- breathe
- breathing
- breathless
- gasp
- heave
- huff
- intake
- respiration
- respiratory
- sleep apnoea
- strangle
- strangulate
- suffocate
- suffocating
- winded
See more results »