Meaning & use

transpire

verb·Advanced

To happen or occur, often used when describing events that later become known or are revealed.

See it in a sentence

No one outside the boardroom knew exactly what had transpired during the meeting.

It later transpired that the missing funds had been misplaced, not stolen.

A note on using this word

Many careful writers reserve transpire for events becoming known afterward, rather than as a plain substitute for happen.

Words with a similar meaning

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Another way to use it

2. verb

To give off water vapor through the surface of leaves, as plants do.

Leaves transpire more quickly in dry, windy conditions.

Make it your own

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