What does perspiration mean?
Perspiration is a formal word for sweat, the salty liquid produced by sweat glands in the skin. It commonly appears in descriptions of heat, physical exertion, anxiety, or illness, as in phrases such as beads of perspiration and profuse perspiration. The word can also refer more formally to the process of sweating, particularly in medical or scientific contexts. Physiologically, perspiration helps regulate body temperature: when sweat evaporates from the skin, it removes heat and produces a cooling effect. Although sweat may be perceived as unpleasant or embarrassing, it is a normal and necessary bodily function. Perspiration is therefore useful when a writer wants a more precise, elevated, or professional term than the ordinary word sweat.
The liquid sweat secreted by the sweat glands, especially as it appears on the skin.
"She wiped away the perspiration from her upper lip."
More formal or literary than sweat; often used when the focus is on the visible or physiological process.
The act or process of sweating.
"The medication was prescribed to reduce perspiration."
This sense is especially common in medical and scientific writing.
The plural is grammatically regular but uncommon, because the word is normally used in the singular or with modifiers such as beads of perspiration and profuse perspiration.
"The clinical notes recorded excessive perspirations during the night."
Perspiration is the body’s built-in cooling system: as sweat evaporates, it draws heat away from the skin and helps regulate body temperature.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does perspiration come from?
Perspiration comes from the Latin perspirare, formed from per- and spirare, meaning to breathe or blow through. The English word entered use in the early 17th century and developed the sense of sweat through the idea of moisture being brought out through the skin. Its relatives include perspire, while inspire, respiration, expiration, and transpiration share the Latin root spirare.
Related word forms
How perspiration is actually used
Perspiration is more formal than sweat and is especially common in writing about heat, exertion, medicine, and emotion. It can sound clinical in medical contexts, while in literary contexts it may emphasize visible or profuse sweating.
Easily confused with perspiration
Perspiration means sweat or the act of sweating, whereas perspective means a particular attitude toward something or a view of it.
Sweat is the everyday word for the liquid secreted by sweat glands; perspiration is a more formal or literary equivalent.