What does expire mean?
Word: Expire
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: Expire means to come to the end of the period during which it can be used, as a passport, ticket or membership does after a fixed date.
Synonyms: run out, lapse
How do you spell expire?
Syllables: ex - pire
Tricky part: Because x already makes a k-s sound, many writers add an extra s straight after it. Expire has no s: the x is followed directly by p.
Watch out for: exspire, ixpire
Memory tip: Say it as ex-PIRE and let the x do the hissing for you: no s needs to stand beside it.
Expire in a sentence
Example 1: The offer on the class trip expires on Friday, so please hand in your form by Thursday.
Example 2: Sofia ran back to the car park because the parking ticket would expire at four o'clock.
Example 3: This voucher for the bowling alley expires at the end of the month, so Sofia wants to use it this weekend.
Fun Fact
A standard adult British passport is valid for ten years before it expires, while a child's passport lasts five years.
Practise the CREST Way
Spellacadabra
Choose the correct option to make a meaningful word:
exp_ _ _
a) ire
b) eir
c) ier
d) yre
Show answer
a) ire. The ending is spelt like fire and wire, with the i before the r.
Word Champ
Read the statements and choose the correct option:
1. When a membership card expires, it has to be renewed before it can be used again. 2. A deadline is the latest time by which a task must be finished. 3. A ticket that has expired gives you free entry for another week.
a) all three are true
b) only 2 and 3
c) only 1
d) only 1 and 2
Show answer
d) only 1 and 2. An expired ticket stops working, so statement 3 is false; the other two are true.
Spell Probe
Find the misspelt word in the sentence and choose its meaning:
Sofia's bus pass will expire at the end of March, so she must take a new photo to the ticket ofice before then.
a) a room where people work, often at desks
b) to reach the end of the time allowed
c) a picture taken with a camera
d) a card that lets the holder travel on buses
Show answer
a) a room where people work, often at desks. Ofice is missing an f; office is a room where people work.
Sound Check
In which word is 'i' pronounced differently?
a) police
b) entire
c) expire
d) admire
Show answer
a) police. In police the i says ee; in the other three it says the long i of fire.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Sofia's train ticket expired yesterday. What is the most sensible thing for her to do?
a) use the old ticket again today
b) lend the ticket to a friend
c) buy a new ticket before travelling
d) keep the ticket for next year
Show answer
c) buy a new ticket before travelling
2. Which of these does NOT normally expire?
a) a bus pass
b) a friendship
c) a passport
d) a gift voucher
Show answer
b) a friendship
