transpire

American  

[tran-spahyuhr] / trænˈspaɪər /

verb (used without object)

transpired, transpiring

1. to occur; happen; take place.

2. to emit or give off waste matter, watery vapor, etc., through the surface, as of the body or of leaves.

3. to escape, as moisture or odor, through or as if through pores.

4. to be revealed or become known.

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verb (used with object)

transpired, transpiring

1. to emit or give off (waste matter, watery vapor, an odor, etc.) through the surface, as of the body or of leaves.

transpire British  

/ ˌtrænspəˈreɪʃən, trænˈspaɪə /

verb

1. (intr) to come to light; be known

2. informal (intr) to happen or occur

3. physiol to give off or exhale (water or vapour) through the skin, a mucous membrane, etc

4. (of plants) to lose (water in the form of water vapour), esp through the stomata of the leaves

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Usage

It is often maintained that transpire should not be used to mean happen or occur, as in the event transpired late in the evening , and that the word is properly used to mean become known, as in it transpired later that the thief had been caught . The word is, however, widely used in the former sense, esp in spoken English

Other Word Forms

• transpirable adjective
• transpiration noun
• transpiratory adjective
• untranspiring adjective

Etymology

Origin of transpire

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Middle French transpirer, from Medieval Latin trānspīrāre, equivalent to Latin trāns- trans- + spīrāre “to breathe”

Explanation

Transpire is a fancy way of saying "happen." You might go to a fortune teller to find out what will transpire in the future. Originally used to express when information became known or came to light, many purists will tell you that's really the best way to use transpire. It can also mean releasing vapor into the air, like when a plant transpires water through its leaves on a hot day. Note: you'll usually encounter this word in its past tense: for example, "We had to watch the replay to figure out what had transpired."

Example Sentences

Analysts are split about whether that sort of transaction could still transpire in the near term.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 3, 2026

“Although the events of April were somewhat of an outlier, a slightly less extreme version of those kind of episodes may well transpire again.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 8, 2025

Venezuelan journalist Ronna Rísquez Sánchez said it is unclear whether Maduro actually directs illicit activities conducted by his military or simply allows it to transpire among his government.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 25, 2025

"Sport is unpredictable, you don't know how things are going to transpire," he says.

From BBC • Jul. 1, 2025

What on earth of importance could transpire in so dingy a place?

From "Black Boy" by Richard Wright

Related Words

• arise
• befall
• ensue