Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

perspiration

/ˌpɝspəˈɹeɪʃən/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.68 in modern English

Syllables: per-spi-ra-tion
IPA: /ˌpɝspəˈɹeɪʃən/

16

Scrabble Score

12

Letters

4

Syllables

9

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

The action or process of perspiring.

Uncountable

noun

Synonym of hard work.

Uncountable

noun

Uncountable

Example Sentences

"The Cauſe may be Want of Perſpiration : For Much of the Matter of Haire, in the other Parts of the Body, goeth forth by Inſenſible Perſpiration ; And beſides, the Skull being of a more ſolide Subſtance, nouriſheth and aſſimilateth leſſe, and excerneth more."
"Genius is 1 per cent. inspiration and 99 per cent. perspiration."
"Passing his hand across his forehead he withdrew it, wet with drops of perspiration."

Etymology

Borrowed from late Middle French perspiration, from perspirer (“perspire”), from Latin perspirare (“to blow or breathe constantly”), from per (“through”) + spirare (“to breathe, blow”). Morphologically perspire + -ation.

Origin

Source language: Middle French

Word Breakdown

Root: perspiration, perspirare
Suffix: perspire

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˌpɝspəˈɹeɪʃən/
British English: /ˌpɜːspəˈɹeɪʃən/

Usage

Uncountable

Inflected Forms

perspirations (plural)

Phrases

genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration

Frequently Paired Words

perspire transpiration inspiration

Synonyms

sweating diaphoresis hidrosis sudation sudoresis hard work sweat sudor

Rhymes With

information education situation population station association administration operation organization nation location application

Questions

How do you pronounce perspiration?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˌpɝspəˈɹeɪʃən/.
What does perspiration mean?: The action or process of perspiring.
Where does perspiration come from?: It is traced to Middle French.

How to pronounce perspiration

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “perspiration”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˌpɝspəˈɹeɪʃən/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “perspiration”.
Repeat and practice — Say “perspiration” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.