What does "sigh" mean?
A deep, prolonged audible inhale and exhale of breath; as when fatigued, frustrated, grieved, or relieved; the act of sighing.
Sigh
/saɪ/ intj, noun, verb, slang
intj, noun, verb, slang ·Common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A deep, prolonged audible inhale and exhale of breath; as when fatigued, frustrated, grieved, or relieved; the act of sighing.
- Grammar: sigh is listed as intj, noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: ache, air, alas, aqua lung.
- Useful contrasts: cheer, chuckles, hooray.
- Usage evidence: Once outside, I gave a deep sigh of relief.
How to use "sigh"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "sigh" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "sigh" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "sigh" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "sigh" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "sigh" is acting as intj, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "ache" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "sigh", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A deep, prolonged audible inhale and exhale of breath; as when fatigued, frustrated, grieved, or relieved; the act of sighing.
"To Pollyanna the air was all the more stifling after that cool breath of the out of doors; but she did not complain. She only drew a long quivering sigh."
- 2 an utterance made by exhaling audibly wordnet
- 3 a manifestation of grief; a lament. figuratively
- 4 a sound like a person sighing wordnet
- 5 A person who is bored. Cockney, slang
Verb
- 1 To inhale a larger quantity of air than usual, and immediately expel it; to make a deep single audible respiration, especially as the result or involuntary expression of fatigue, exhaustion, grief, sorrow, frustration, or the like. intransitive
"When she saw it wasn't damaged, she sighed with relief."
- 2 heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily wordnet
- 3 To lament; to grieve. intransitive
"He sighed deeply in his spirit."
- 4 utter with a sigh wordnet
- 5 To utter sighs over; to lament or mourn over. transitive
"Ages to come, and men unborn, / Shall bless her name, and sigh her fate."
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 To make a sound like sighing. intransitive
"The wind sighed in the trees."
- 7 To exhale (the breath) in sighs. transitive
"She sighed a sigh that was nearly a groan."
- 8 To express by sighs; to utter in or with sighs. transitive
""I guess I have no choice," she sighed."
Intj
- 1 An expression of fatigue, exhaustion, grief, sorrow, frustration, or the like, often used in casual written contexts.
"Sigh, I'm so bored at work today."
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"Once outside, I gave a deep sigh of relief."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "sigh"?
Common synonyms include: ache, air, alas, aqua lung, aqua-lung, artificial respiration.
How do you use "sigh" in a sentence?
Once outside, I gave a deep sigh of relief.
How do you pronounce "sigh"?
Pronounced /saɪ/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English sighen (“to sigh”), back-formation from sighte, past tense form of siken, from Old English sīcan, from Proto-West Germanic *sīkan, perhaps ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *seykʷ- (“to pour out”).
Etymology 2
From Middle English sighe (“sigh”), from sighen (“to sigh”) (see [[#Etymology 1]]).