sigh

1 of 2

verb

ˈsī 

sighed; sighing; sighs

intransitive verb

1

: to take a deep audible breath (as in weariness or relief)

2

: to make a sound like sighing

wind sighing in the branches

3

: grieve, yearn

sighing for days gone by

transitive verb

1

: to express by sighs

2

archaic : to utter sighs over : mourn

sigher

ˈsī(-ə)r 

noun

sigh

2 of 2

noun

1

: an often involuntary act of sighing especially when expressing an emotion or feeling (such as weariness or relief)

2

: the sound of gently moving or escaping air

sighs of the summer breeze

Synonyms of sigh

Verb

• gasp
• huff
• breathe
• snort
• sniff

Examples of sigh in a Sentence

Verb

He sighed with relief when he saw that he passed the test.

The wind sighed through the trees.

“I may never see my old home again,” she sighed.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

When placed in front of him, the child either cowers backward in fear and sighs with relief when it's turned off or uses the Force to deactivate it. —Kirsten Acuna, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026

Seeing her dad’s handwriting, Lally sighed. —Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026

Noun

If a concord can be struck and the war brought to an end, UAE residents will be among those breathing the biggest sighs of relief after their country was singled out for Iranian attacks again this week while other Gulf states were spared. —Dominic Dudley, semafor.com, 7 May 2026

The celebratory announcement was met with cheers and sighs of relief, appearing to solidify the team’s home for the next three decades. —Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 6 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English sihen, alteration of sichen, from Old English sīcan; akin to Middle Dutch versiken to sigh

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sigh

• breathe a sigh of relief

Rhymes for sigh

• ai
• aye
• bae
• bi
• buy
• by
• bye
• chai
• chi
• cry
• die
• dry

Kids Definition

sigh

1 of 2 verb

ˈsī 

1

: to take or let out a long loud breath (as in weariness or relief)

2

: to make a sound like sighing

wind sighing in the branches

3

: yearn sense 1

sighing for the good old days

sigh

2 of 2 noun

1

: an often involuntary act of sighing especially when expressing a feeling

2

: the sound of gently moving or escaping air

the sighs of a summer breeze