sigh

Everyday

1. To sigh is to breathe out slowly and loudly, often because you are tired, sad, bored or relieved. tree →
2. A sigh is that long, loud breath. tree →

In the lessons

In stories, a sigh tells the reader how a character feels: «She sighed with relief» (glad), «He sighed sadly» (sad or tired). Phrases: «a sigh of relief», «sigh deeply», «breathe a sigh of relief».

Examples

• She gave a big sigh when she saw the homework. tree →
• We sighed with relief when the dog came home. tree →
• «Not again,» he sighed. tree →
• The tired runner sat down with a sigh. tree →
• Mum sighed when she saw the muddy floor. tree →
• The wind sighed through the trees. tree →
• "No," said Jane, with a sigh. tree →

Note

Pronounced like «sy» (rhymes with «my»); the «gh» is silent. Past: «sighed». Don't confuse with «sign» or «sight».

In Jewish tradition

A sigh is a deep breath of grief or pain. The prophets use sighing for the sadness of a ruined land, and the Psalms for the sorrow of a sufferer. God promises to end the sighing.

Interpretation. The tradition reads sighing as the cry of a troubled heart that God hears, and the end of sighing as a sign of comfort and rescue.

Examples

• All the sighing thereof have I made to cease.' (Prophets ISA.21.2, JPS 1917) tree →
• The new wine faileth, the vine fadeth; all the merry-hearted do sigh. (Prophets ISA.24.7, JPS 1917) tree →
• By reason of the voice of my sighing my bones cleave to my flesh. (Writings PSA.102.6, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Pronounced like «sy» (rhymes with «my»); the «gh» is silent. Past: «sighed». Don't confuse with «sign» or «sight».