expire

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. verb lose validity
  2. verb pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
  3. verb expel air

Etymology

From Middle English expire, from Middle French expirer, from Latin expīrō, exspīrō, from ex- (“out”) + spīrō (“breathe, be alive”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

run out

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