transpire

[tran-spahyuhr]

verb (used without object)

transpired, transpiring 

1. to occur; happen; take place.

2. to emit or give off waste matter, watery vapor, etc., through the surface, as of the body or of leaves.

3. to escape, as moisture or odor, through or as if through pores.

4. to be revealed or become known.

verb (used with object)

transpired, transpiring 

1. to emit or give off (waste matter, watery vapor, an odor, etc.) through the surface, as of the body or of leaves.

transpire

/ ˌtrænspəˈreɪʃən, trænˈspaɪə /

verb

1. (intr) to come to light; be known

2. informal,  (intr) to happen or occur

3. physiol to give off or exhale (water or vapour) through the skin, a mucous membrane, etc

4. (of plants) to lose (water in the form of water vapour), esp through the stomata of the leaves

Usage

It is often maintained that transpire should not be used to mean happen or occur, as in the event transpired late in the evening , and that the word is properly used to mean become known, as in it transpired later that the thief had been caught . The word is, however, widely used in the former sense, esp in spoken English

Other Word Forms

• transpiration noun
• transpiratory adjective
• transpirable adjective
• untranspiring adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of transpire¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Middle French transpirer, from Medieval Latin trānspīrāre, equivalent to Latin trāns- trans- + spīrāre “to breathe”

Word History and Origins

Origin of transpire¹

C16: from Medieval Latin transpīrāre , from Latin _trans- + spīrāre to breathe

Example Sentences

It is believed those opportunities did not transpire.

From BBC

It transpired James had suffered an injury against Sweden that will now keep her out of the start of Chelsea's 2025-26 campaign.

From BBC

In Newcastle's counter-statement to Isak's seismic post last week, the club made clear "the conditions of a sale this summer have not transpired" before stating they did not "foresee those conditions being met".

From BBC

What transpired was a plodding game of telephone.

From Salon

The tragedy in January transpired not because of L.A.’s lack of preparedness for wildfire, but despite its high level of preparedness, and that should be a bit sobering.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• arise 
• befall 
• ensue