sigh

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sigh" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a feeling of disappointment, frustration, or relief, often as a standalone expression or as part of a sentence. Example: "After hearing the news, she let out a long sigh, feeling the weight of the situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I don't know if other parents get this but, when my son started crying, I swear I could hear every tut, every sigh, every eye-roll happening across the entire train.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It was a deep, heavy sigh – halfway between disbelief and the dawning realisation that this was really going to bugger up her day.

The Guardian

Twomey said the federal government would be "breathing a sigh of relief" that the ruling did not have any specific impact on other federal government grants programs – including funding to councils for road upgrades and money to community organisations for local projects.

The Guardian

The southern city of Passau, on the river Danube, was breathing a sigh of relief on Wednesday as water levels there, which had never been higher since 1501, began to subside.

The Guardian

The situation will improve in the coming year and people will finally breathe a sigh of relief".

The Guardian

It's not a thought I like to contemplate, but I can hardly breathe a sigh of relief.

The Guardian

Finally, pen dangling from his cramped and rheumatic fingers, Bech realises, with a sigh of satisfaction, that he has finally reached the logical end point of the blocked writer.

The Guardian - Sport

"In South Africa we've had something of a truncated process of forgiveness," she said with a sigh.

The Guardian

If you're the kind of person who disdains the whole notion of "productivity systems", I suspect you just emitted an extremely loud sigh of derision.

The Guardian - Opinion

The more venerable among them sigh and politely turn their heads, silently confirming that, yes, holding this trial at all was a mistake.

The Guardian - Opinion

And did she sigh: "Oh Ed, I have always dreamed of humanising you"?

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sigh" to convey a range of emotions such as relief, disappointment, or weariness. Ensure the context clarifies the specific emotion you intend to express.

Common error

Avoid using "sigh" excessively as a dialogue tag. Overusing it can make characters seem melodramatic or one-dimensional. Instead, vary your dialogue tags or use action beats to convey emotion.

Linguistic Context

The word "sigh" functions as both a verb and a noun. As a verb, it describes the act of inhaling and exhaling audibly, often expressing emotions like relief, disappointment, or fatigue. As a noun, it refers to the sound or act of sighing itself. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sigh" is a versatile word used both as a verb and a noun to express a range of emotions, from relief to disappointment. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used. It appears frequently in news, business, and scientific contexts, indicating its neutral register. When writing, use "sigh" to add emotional depth to your narrative, but avoid overuse in dialogue tags. Consider alternatives like "exhale deeply" or "groan" for nuanced expression. Ensure the context is clear for the intended emotion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Give a heavy sigh

Adds emphasis to the weight or burden implied by the sigh.

Heave a sigh

Emphasizes the physical effort involved in sighing.

Emit a sigh

A more formal way to describe producing a sigh.

Breathe wearily

Emphasizes the feeling of tiredness or exhaustion associated with the breath.

Sigh audibly

Highlights that the sigh is loud enough to be heard.

Exhale deeply

Focuses on the physical act of breathing out heavily, lacking the emotional context of "sigh".

Express through a sigh

Focuses on the communicative aspect of sighing.

Let out a groan

Suggests a more audible and negative expression of discomfort or frustration than a simple "sigh".

Whisper a sigh

Highlights the quiet and subtle nature of the sigh.

Suffer a sigh

Indicates a passive experience of the emotion leading to the sigh.

FAQs

How can I use "sigh" in a sentence to express relief?

To express relief, you can say something like, "After the exam, she let out a long "sigh" of relief."

What are some alternatives to "sigh" when expressing disappointment?

When expressing disappointment, you could use phrases like "exhale deeply", "groan", or "breathe wearily" depending on the intensity.

Is it correct to say "I sighed him"?

No, it's generally incorrect. You can say, "I sighed" or "I sighed something" where "something" is what you express through the sigh (e.g., "I sighed my frustration").

What's the difference between "sigh" and "groan"?

A "sigh" is usually a deeper, audible breath expressing a range of emotions, while a groan is a deeper, often involuntary sound indicating pain, disapproval, or discomfort.