Expire — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ik-ˈspī(-ə)r/ ex·pire

Meaning & Definition of Expire

Expire (verb)

  1. to breathe one's last breath, die
  2. to come to an end
  3. to exceed its period of validity

Expire (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to come to an end

    "speakers will not be allowed to continue after their allotted time has expired"

    similar: break off, break up, cease, close, conclude, dead-end, determine, die, discontinue, elapse, end, finish, go, halt, lapse, leave off, let up, pass, quit, stop, terminate, wind up, wink (out), bite the dust
    related: desist (from), lay off (of), refrain (from), give over (British), knock off, pack (up or in), break down, conk (out), cut out, stall, pause, stay, suspend, abate, peter (out), wind down
    opposite: continue, hang on, persist
    near: draw out, extend, prolong, protract

  2. to let or force out of the lungs

    "he vows to hold on to that belief until he expires his last breath"

    similar: blow (out), breathe (out), exhale, expel
    related: expectorate
    opposite: inbreathe, inhale, inspire

  3. to stop living

    "made one last visit to his homeland and expired not long afterwards"

    similar: check out, conk (out), croak (slang), decease, demise, depart, die, drop, end, exit, fall, flatline, go, kick in (slang), kick off (slang), part, pass (on), pass away, peg out (chiefly British), perish, pop off, step out, succumb, bite the dust, buy it, give up the ghost, kick the bucket, snuff it (British)
    related: predecease, consume, disappear, dry up, fade, fail
    opposite: breathe, live
    near: come to, revive, linger, be, exist, subsist, flourish, prosper, thrive

  4. to throw or give off

    "linden trees expiring their rich perfume"

    similar: cast, discharge, emanate, emit, evolve, exhale, expel, give out, irradiate, issue, radiate, release, send (out), shoot, throw out, vent
    related: eliminate, evacuate, excrete, exude, ooze, secrete, eject, erupt, gush, jet, outpour, pour, spew, spout, spray, spurt, squirt
    near: absorb, inhale, soak (up), sponge, suck (up), take up

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Expire

The most common words with a similar meaning to Expire:

Slang: croak, kick in, kick off
Chiefly British: peg out
British: snuff it
break off, break up, cease, close, conclude, dead-end, determine, die, discontinue, elapse, end, finish, go, halt, lapse, leave off, let up, pass, quit, stop, terminate, wind up, wink (out), blow (out), breathe (out), exhale, expel, check out, conk (out), decease, demise, depart, drop, exit, fall, flatline, part, pass (on), pass away, perish

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Expire

Words with the opposite meaning of Expire:

continue, hang on, persist, inbreathe, inhale, inspire, breathe, live

Related Words for Expire

desist (from), lay off (of), refrain (from), give over, knock off, pack (up or in), break down, cut out, stall, pause, stay, suspend, abate, peter (out), wind down, expectorate, predecease, consume, disappear, dry up, fade, fail, eliminate, evacuate, excrete, exude, ooze, secrete, eject, erupt

Near Antonyms of Expire

draw out, extend, prolong, protract, come to, revive, linger, be, exist, subsist, flourish, prosper, thrive, absorb, soak (up), sponge, suck (up), take up

Word Forms of Expire

Inflections: expired, expiring

Origin & Etymology of Expire

Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Anglo-French espirer to breathe out, from Latin exspirare, from ex- + spirare to breathe

First known use: 15th centuryi

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Expire

Frequently Asked Questions about Expire

What does "Expire" mean?

"Expire" means to breathe one's last breath, die. As a verb, it is defined as: to breathe one's last breath, die. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Expire"?

Other words for "Expire" include break off, break up, cease, close, conclude, dead-end, determine and die. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Expire" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Expire"?

There are 105 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Expire". Common alternatives include break off, break up, cease, close, conclude, dead-end, determine, die, discontinue and elapse.

What is a slang word for "Expire"?

Slang words for "Expire" include croak, kick in and kick off.

What is the opposite of "Expire"?

Antonyms of "Expire" include continue, hang on, persist, inbreathe, inhale, inspire, breathe and live. Near antonyms include draw out, extend, prolong and protract.

How do you use "Expire" in a sentence?

Examples of "Expire" in a sentence: "speakers will not be allowed to continue after their allotted time has expired"; "he vows to hold on to that belief until he expires his last breath"; "made one last visit to his homeland and expired not long afterwards".

Is "Expire" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Expire" is a verb.

Is "Expire" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Expire" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.