inhale Hear it!

inhale Definition

in·hale (in hāl′, in′hāl′)

transitive verb inhaled -·haled′, inhaling -·hal′·ing

  1. to draw (air, vapor, etc.) into the lungs; breathe in
  2. Informal to consume rapidly or voraciously to inhale one's dinner

Etymology: L inhalare < in-, in + halare, to breathe: see exhale

intransitive verb

  1. to draw air, vapor, etc. into the lungs
  2. to draw tobacco smoke into the lungs when smoking
inhale Synonyms

inhale

v.

breathe in, gasp, smell, sniff; see breathe 1.

inhale Usage Examples

Object

  • fume: They are forced to inhale noxious fumes or burning plastics.

Preposition: through

  • nose: Softly close the lips and inhale through the nose.

Modifying Another Word

  • slowly: Bring the glass to your nose and inhale slowly and deeply two or three times in succession.

Used with why or when

  • when: You may be tempted just to cut down, but many smokers find they inhale more deeply when smoking fewer cigarettes.
inhale Quotes

She looks at other women as if she would inhale them.

—Firbank, (ArthurAnnesley) Ronald

Even in Paris,Iremained a Canadian.Ipuffed hashish, but I didn't inhale.

—Richler, Mordecai

President Clinton returned today†to the university wherehe didn't inhale, didn't get drafted, and didn't get a degree.

—Dowd, Maureen

Respirer Paris, cela conserve l'a"  me. To inhale Paris preserves the soul.

—Hugo,Victor Marie