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. to yearn, long, or pine

4. (tr) to utter or express with sighing

noun

1. the act or sound of sighing

Other Word Forms

• sigher noun
• outsigh verb (used with object)
• unsighing 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

While the world’s richest man might have breathed a sigh of relief after his Starship rocket completed a stellar launch last month, Elon Musk can’t afford to celebrate just yet.

From Los Angeles Times

Another watches a tape of her college-freshman-aged self setting up a guy who could have been a classmate and sighs, “Years later, I’m still emotionally exhausted.”

From Los Angeles Times

I looked at these big, angry, loud green machines, with their 25mm chain guns, missiles and other weapons, and let out a deep sigh.

From Salon

When I raised this with Huang, he sighed: "Don't remind me… I tried".

From BBC

He makes a face at me and lets out a sigh.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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

When To Use

What does sigh mean?

Sigh, an audible exhalation, conveys a broad range of emotions from sadness and disappointment to sarcasm and relief. People frequently write it out online to express such sentiments.