What does sighingly mean?
Sighingly is an adverb meaning “with a sigh” or “as if sighing.” It describes an action or manner that suggests emotional strain, disappointment, resignation, or weary acceptance: a person may turn away sighingly, accept a decision sighingly, or ask a question sighingly. The word can be especially effective when a character feels defeated but does not say much, allowing a single drawn-out breath to communicate frustration, tenderness, regret, or relief. In ordinary conversation, people are more likely to use the verb “sigh” or say that someone “sighed,” while “sighingly” has a more literary and expressive tone. It is most effective when the surrounding context makes the unspoken feeling clear.
adverbIn a way that is marked by a sigh or that suggests weary resignation, disappointment, or relief. It describes an action performed with a sigh or gives the impression that a sigh would accompany it.
- With a sigh, or in a manner suggesting a sigh.
- In a way marked by disappointment, resignation, or weary acceptance.
"She looked at the rain-soaked window and turned away sighingly."
"He sighed and looked back at the house as they drove away."
"She accepted the extra work sighingly, clearly wishing she had said no."
Sometimes one small “sigh” carries more feeling than a long speech.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sighingly come from?
The adverb is formed from “sigh” with the suffix “-ingly,” a productive English way of creating adverbs from adjectives and participles. “Sigh” is an old English word with Germanic roots, historically associated with the sound and emotion of breathing out deeply. The related form “sighing” preserves the same lexical root, while “sighless” uses it in an adjectival formation meaning not sighing or unable to sigh.
Related word forms
How sighingly is actually used
Literary and somewhat emotive rather than everyday standard usage. It often conveys resignation, disappointment, or reluctant acceptance, and can sound more expressive than a plain statement of how someone acted.
Easily confused with sighingly
“Sighingly” is an adverb describing how an action is done, whereas “sighing” is a verb or participle naming the act of sighing.
“Sighingly” relates to sighing, while “singly” means individually or one at a time.