Transpire: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Transpire verb. To come to light; to become known.
How to say it
tran-SPIRE/tranˈspʌɪə/
2 syllables, stressed on the second (SPIRE). Forms: transpired.
Transpire in a sentence
It later transpired that the 'antique' had been made in 2015.
It transpired that nobody had actually booked the venue.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
- emerge
- come to light
- come out
- turn out
Careful
Transpire traditionally means become known. Its use for simply 'happen' ('what transpired at the meeting') is very common and accepted by most dictionaries, but some readers still find it pompous.
Where transpire comes from
From Latin trans-, through, and spirare, to breathe, first used of plants giving off moisture.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
It _____ that nobody had actually booked the venue.
- enervate
- transpire
- comprise
Show the answer
transpire: It transpired that nobody had actually booked the venue.