inhaling

/ɪnˈheɪl/ (bre, ipa) · [ˌɪnhˈelɪŋ] /ɪnˈheɪl/ (ame, ipa) · [ˌɪnhˈelɪŋ] /in-ˈhāl/ (ame, mw)

inhaling — verb

  • inhalingpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • inhalings3rd person singular
  • inhalinging-ing form
  • inhalingedpast simple

1. to draw air, smoke, or other substances into the body by breathing through the n

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

to draw air, smoke, or other substances into the body by breathing through the nose or mouth

例句

Talia flung open the window and inhaled deeply.

intransitive use; deeply as intensifier

Defne became ill shortly after inhaling the fumes.

transitive: inhale + harmful substance

同義詞
  • breathe in

    more general; used for any breath, not just drawing into lungs

  • draw in

    slightly more formal; often used for air or smoke

  • suck in

    more forceful; often implies using mouth rather than nose

反義詞

文法句型

inhale (no object)

inhale + object (air, smoke, gas)

用法筆記

When used transitively, the object is the substance being breathed in (smoke, fumes, air, gas). The intransitive use simply describes the action of breathing in without naming what is breathed.

常見錯誤

❌I inhaled deeply the fresh air.
✅I inhaled the fresh air deeply.
💡With a transitive object, place the object right after the verb before an adverb like 'deeply'.

2. to eat food extremely quickly, without taking time to chew or enjoy it properly

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to eat food extremely quickly, without taking time to chew or enjoy it properly

例句

Kwame was so hungry that he inhaled his burger in seconds.

informal use for eating very fast

The moment the pizza arrived, Takeshi inhaled three slices without saying a word.

temporal clause opener: 'the moment [something] happened, [subject] inhaled [food]'

同義詞
  • wolf down

    equally informal; emphasises greedy or uncontrolled eating

  • gobble up

    common with children or animals; suggests eating in big mouthfuls

  • scarf down

    American informal; very common in casual speech

反義詞
  • nibble

    to eat in very small amounts, slowly

  • savour

    to enjoy food slowly, paying attention to the taste

文法句型

inhale + object (food or drink)

用法筆記

Strictly informal. The subject is always a person or animal, and the object is always food or drink. Cannot be used for slow or careful eating — the word emphasises speed.

常見錯誤

❌The cat inhaled the milk slowly.
✅The cat inhaled the milk.
💡Adding 'slowly' contradicts the meaning of 'inhale'; the word already implies speed.
❌She inhaled a deep breath.' (meaning the eating sense)
✅She took a deep breath.
💡The eating sense only works with food or drink as the object, not air.