perspire

American  

[per-spahyuhr] / pərˈspaɪər /

verb (used without object)

perspired, perspiring

1. to secrete a salty, watery fluid from the sweat glands of the skin, especially when very warm as a result of strenuous exertion; sweat.

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verb (used with object)

perspired, perspiring

1. to emit through pores; exude.

perspire British  

/ pəˈspaɪə /

verb

1. to secrete or exude (perspiration) through the pores of the skin

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Other Word Forms

• perspirability noun
• perspirable adjective
• perspiringly adverb
• perspiry adjective
• unperspired adjective
• unperspiring adjective

Etymology

Origin of perspire

1640–50; < Latin perspīrāre to blow constantly (said of the wind), breathe through; in New Latin: to sweat imperceptibly. See per-, inspire

Explanation

To perspire is to sweat: to excrete perspiration through the pores in your skin. Whenever little drops of moisture appear on your skin, you're perspiring or sweating. People sweat when they're nervous, when it's hot out, and when they're doing a lot of exercise. If you watch people playing a strenuous sport like basketball, they will be perspiring. Perspiring is one way your body cools itself off, so sweating is a good thing, even though it can make you feel gross. Some animals — like dogs — can't perspire, so it's harder for them to cool off.

Example Sentences

Your nose will perspire and you will feel compelled to touch it.

From New York Times • Feb. 4, 2024

When you perspire, the sweat on your skin can pull heat from your body as it evaporates.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 21, 2023

And he said, ‘Coach, quarterbacks don’t sweat. Quarterbacks perspire.’

From Washington Times • Aug. 24, 2022

In summer’s heat, we perspire, and the perspiration evaporates.

From Washington Post • Jul. 11, 2021

Tendai looked at her steadily, the way Father did when he wanted to make someone perspire.

From "The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm" by Nancy Farmer

Related Words

• secrete