ventilate
gb/vˈɛntɪlˌeɪt/ us/vˈɛntɪlˌeɪt/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B2
action
1
let fresh air into a space
To let fresh air into a room so it is not stuffy.
Usage pattern:
ventilate [a room/building/space]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *vent* when they mean *ventilate a room* (provide airflow), not *vent* (express anger).
Synonyms
air (More informal and common in everyday speech.)
|
aerate (Slightly more technical; often used for soil or liquids too.)
Antonyms
seal (To close so air cannot enter or escape.)
|
stagnate (Describes air becoming still and stale rather than being refreshed.)
Collocations
ventilate a room
|ventilate a building
|ventilate the kitchen
|properly ventilated
|well-ventilated
|poorly ventilated
|naturally ventilated
|ventilate the space
|ventilate the area
|ventilate a workspace
Themes
home
|buildings
|health
|daily_life
Examples
- Open the window to ventilate the room after painting.
- The basement needs to be ventilated to prevent damp and mold.
- The restaurant upgraded its system to better ventilate the dining area.
Learner examples
- Please ventilate the room.
- This office is well ventilated.
Verb
formal
C1
action
2
discuss or express openly
To talk about a problem or feeling openly.
Usage pattern:
ventilate [an issue/concern/grievance]
Common mistake:
Often confused with *vent*; *ventilate concerns* is more formal and implies discussion, not just emotional release.
Synonyms
air (Common and slightly less formal (e.g., air concerns).)
|
voice (Focuses on expressing an opinion rather than discussing it.)
Antonyms
suppress (To prevent something from being expressed or discussed.)
|
bottle up (To keep feelings inside instead of expressing them.)
Collocations
ventilate concerns
|ventilate grievances
|ventilate an issue
|ventilate a complaint
|ventilate opinions
|ventilate views
|a forum to ventilate
|ventilate frustrations
|ventilate arguments
|ventilate differences
Themes
communication
|emotions
|work
|society
Examples
- The meeting gave staff a chance to ventilate their concerns about the new rota.
- Local residents gathered to ventilate their grievances over the roadworks.
- The panel discussion was meant to ventilate the issue, not to reach a final decision.
Learner examples
- We ventilated our concerns in the meeting.
Verb
technical
C1
action
3
provide breathing support medically
To help a very sick person breathe using a machine.
Usage pattern:
ventilate [a patient] / be ventilated
Common mistake:
In medical English, *ventilated* usually implies a ventilator; it does not just mean ‘in a room with fresh air’.
Synonyms
put on a ventilator (More explicit; common in general-audience medical reporting.)
|
provide assisted ventilation (More formal and clinical wording.)
Antonyms
extubate (To remove the breathing tube, ending invasive mechanical ventilation.)
|
wean off (To gradually reduce ventilator support until breathing independently.)
Collocations
mechanically ventilate
|ventilate a patient
|be ventilated
|invasive ventilation
|non-invasive ventilation
|on a ventilator
|ventilated in ICU
|require ventilation
Themes
health
|medicine
Examples
- After surgery, the patient was ventilated overnight in intensive care.
- Some patients need to be mechanically ventilated if their lungs cannot supply enough oxygen.
- Doctors tried to reduce the sedation so she could breathe without being ventilated.
Learner examples
- The patient was ventilated in the ICU.
Verb
B2
action
4
air an item to remove smells
To put something in fresh air so it smells better and dries.
Usage pattern:
ventilate [clothes/bedding/a cupboard]
Common mistake:
Learners often prefer *air out* in everyday conversation; *ventilate* can sound slightly more formal here.
Synonyms
air out (Most common everyday phrase for this meaning.)
|
freshen (Broader; can involve sprays or cleaning, not only air.)
Antonyms
shut away (To keep something closed so smells and moisture remain.)
|
seal up (To close tightly, preventing airflow and exchange.)
Collocations
ventilate clothes
|ventilate bedding
|ventilate a cupboard
|ventilate a closet
|ventilate a mattress
|ventilate stored items
|ventilate the wardrobe
|leave it to ventilate
Themes
home
|cleaning
|daily_life
Examples
- She left the blankets outside to ventilate in the sun.
- It helps to ventilate the wardrobe after winter to get rid of musty smells.
- Ventilate the gear thoroughly after it gets wet.
Learner examples
- I ventilated my jacket outside.
Verb
technical
C1
action
5
supply air to confined worksites
To bring fresh air into a mine or tunnel for safety.
Usage pattern:
ventilate [a mine/tunnel/enclosed area]
Common mistake:
This is a specialized safety/engineering use; in everyday contexts it usually refers to rooms or buildings.
Synonyms
aerate (Can be used in technical contexts, but is less specific to safety ventilation.)
Antonyms
asphyxiate (To be deprived of oxygen; opposite outcome when an area is not ventilated.)
|
stagnate (Air becomes still, allowing fumes or gases to build up.)
Collocations
ventilate a mine
|ventilate a tunnel
|ventilate the shaft
|ventilate an enclosed space
|adequately ventilated
|forced ventilation
|ventilation system
|ventilate fumes
Themes
work
|industry
|safety
Examples
- The crew had to ventilate the tunnel before anyone could enter.
- Portable fans were used to ventilate the confined workspace and clear the fumes.
- Strict rules require mines to be continuously ventilated.
Grammar
Dictionary form
ventilate
IPA
GB/vˈɛntɪlˌeɪt/
US/vˈɛntɪlˌeɪt/
Syllables & stress
vent - il - ate (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (vent)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: ventilate
- 3rd Person Singular: ventilates
- Present Participle: ventilating
- Past: ventilated
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.