perspire

American

[per-spahyuhr] / pərˈspaɪər /

verb (used without object)

perspired, perspiring

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

verb (used with object)

perspired, perspiring

to emit through pores; exude.

perspire British

/ pəˈspaɪə /

verb

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

But when it goes right, mistakes are forgiven; the diners perspire, devour, quaff and sing together, and then, only then, will business be done.

From New York Times • Nov. 30, 2019

But Andrew said that he wasn’t able, at that time, to perspire.

From Washington Post • Nov. 16, 2019

Mother is making him perspire in hopes of sweating out the fever.

From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023