perspire

verb

per·​spire pər-ˈspī(-ə)r 

perspired; perspiring

intransitive verb

: to emit matter through the skin

specifically : to secrete and emit perspiration

Examples of perspire in a Sentence

I was nervous and could feel myself start to perspire.

She ran two miles and wasn't even perspiring.

Recent Examples on the Web

The products work for athletes who are always moving and perspiring, but WYN is also meant for parents running after toddlers or prepping for half-marathons. —Danyel Smith, Essence, 16 Oct. 2024

Those who perspire salty and heavy may have large electrolyte losses with shorter workouts, making supplements more important. —Matt Fuchs, TIME, 16 Sep. 2024

So if the Fourth was the day to inspire, perhaps Friday was the time to perspire. —Martin Weil, Washington Post, 5 July 2024

Audience members were convinced the blinking, breathing and even perspiring Lincoln animatronic was an actor rather than a robotic machine. —Brady MacDonald, Orange County Register, 12 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

French perspirer, from Middle French, from Latin per- through + spirare to blow, breathe — more at per-

First Known Use

circa 1682, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

perspire

verb

per·​spire pər-ˈspī(ə)r 

perspired; perspiring

: to give off perspiration : sweat

Medical Definition

perspire

intransitive verb

per·​spire pər-ˈspī(ə)r 

perspired; perspiring

: to emit matter through the skin

specifically : to secrete and emit perspiration