Exhale means to send air out from your body by breathing. It is the opposite of inhale, which means to breathe air in. We use it when talking about breathing clearly.
She takes a deep breath and exhales slowly.
Please exhale all the air from your lungs.
Exhale can also mean to send out smells, gases, or vapors into the air. Some things like plants or machines release small amounts of air or scent.
The flower exhaled a sweet fragrance.
Factories exhale smoke into the air.
As a noun, exhale means one breath of air breathed out from the body. People talk about an exhale when they want to explain the action or sound of breathing out.
Take a slow exhale to feel calm.
Her exhale was quiet and deep.
Exhale can mean to breathe out with emotion like a sigh. People sometimes exhale loudly when they feel tired, happy, or relieved. It's a strong breath out linked to feelings.
He exhaled loudly after the long day.
She exhaled in relief when safe.
Exhale can mean to let air or gas out from an object by opening a small hole or valve. This is common with machines, tires, or bubbles releasing air.
Open the valve to exhale the pressure.
The tire will exhale air slowly if punctured.
Sometimes, exhale is used in a figurative way to mean showing or expressing feelings or ideas softly. This use is poetic or emotional, not literal breathing.
She exhaled sadness in her soft voice.
He exhaled his thoughts through a poem.
