Exhale Meaning
/ˌɛksˈheɪ̯l/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo expel air from the lungs through the nose or mouth by action of the diaphragm, to breathe out.
verbTo expel (something, such as tobacco smoke) from the lungs by action of the diaphragm.
Sentence Examples
The doctor told me to inhale and exhale slowly and deeply.
If you can see your breath when you exhale, you know it's cold.
CEFR Practice Quiz
Take a deep breath and then slowly ____ through your mouth.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The yoga instructor told everyone to ____ slowly as they stretched their arms upwards.
Word Origin & History
From Middle French exhaler, from Latin exhalare, from ex (“out”) + halare (“to breathe”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Above was a tiled roof – though from that imperfect tiling exhaled stench and pestilence."
— 2008, Gregor Dallas, Metrostop Paris, John Murray, published 2009, page 9:
"Passengers on the earliest railway services would not even have enjoyed the luxury of a platform, instead having to step up onto the waiting open top wagons, where they would experience a journey that left many choking on the plumes of smoke exhaled by the leading locomotive."
— 2025 July 9, Oliver Wheeler, “Action stations...”, in RAIL, number 1039, page 68:
"Leſs fragrant Scents th' unfolding Roſe exhales, / Or Spices breathing in Arabian Gales."
— 1715, [Alexander] Pope, The Temple of Fame: A Vision, London: […] Bernard Lintott […], →OCLC, page 29:
"Now have client take slower, normal breaths through the nose and notice how the abdomen moves slightly outward with each inhale and then deflates with each exhale."
— 2009, David A. Clark, Aaron T. Beck, Cognitive Therapy of Anxiety Disorders: Science and Practice:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Take a deep breath and then slowly ____ through your mouth.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The yoga instructor told everyone to ____ slowly as they stretched their arms upwards.