sigh

[ sahy ]

verb (used without object)

1. to let out one's breath audibly, as from sorrow, weariness, or relief.
2. to yearn or long; pine.
3. to make a sound suggesting a sigh:

   sighing wind.

verb (used with object)

1. to express or utter with a sigh.
2. to lament with sighing.

noun

1. the act or sound of sighing.

sigh

/ saɪ /

verb

1. intr to draw in and exhale audibly a deep breath as an expression of weariness, despair, relief, etc
2. intr to make a sound resembling this

   trees sighing in the wind

3. introften foll byfor to yearn, long, or pine
4. tr to utter or express with sighing

noun

1. the act or sound of sighing

Derived Forms

• ˈsigher, noun

Other Words From

• sigher noun
• outsigh verb (used with object)
• un·sighing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sigh¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English verb sighen, back formation from sihte “sighed,” past tense of Middle English siken, sichen “to sigh, moan,” Old English sīcan “to sigh, groan, long for”; noun derivative of the verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of sigh¹

Old English sīcan, of obscure origin

Example Sentences

Rob Marshall lets a sigh of relief erupt so loud it could be heard by giants in the sky.

From The Daily Beast

But Lomax can heave a small sigh of relief, at least for now: Legislative reform to the 1033 program will not happen in 2014.

From The Daily Beast

“We can blame Carrie Bradshaw for this,” says Shaunaq Arora, half-joking; his sigh tinged with the cloudy breath of his Gauloises.

From The Daily Beast

Punctuating his comment with a loud sigh, Hart adds: “You have to live with that, you know?”

From The Daily Beast

When the Child Model Act was signed into law, model rights activists such as myself sounded a collective sigh of relief.

From The Daily Beast

And now I can recall that his eyes closed, and from his lips I caught a sigh, and then he rolled to the floor.

From Project Gutenberg

“Well, I hope he does,” sighed Sol, the sigh being breathed to give expression of what remained unspoken.

From Project Gutenberg

"I wish the old homes of England had electric lights," thought Miss Otis, with a sigh.

From Project Gutenberg

For hours the gray man would sit on a tombstone, while Black Sheep read epitaphs, and then with a sigh would stump home again.

From Project Gutenberg

"I fear, squire, hers is not a bodily affection," said Mrs. Dodd with a deep sigh.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• cry
• exhale
• gasp
• groan
• howl
• moan
• murmur
• sob
• whisper
• whistle