breath
brehth
Breath (noun) means the air drawn into or expelled from the lungs; a single instance of breathing. Example: “She took a deep breath before diving in.”
noun
1
The air drawn into or expelled from the lungs; a single instance of breathing.
"She took a deep breath before diving in."
"He held his breath as the results were announced."
"Take a slow breath in and count to four before you speak."
2
A slight trace or hint of something.
"There wasn't a breath of wind all afternoon."
"The speech didn't contain a breath of scandal."
"There was hardly a breath of criticism in the whole report."
How to use breath
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe air you breathe in and out, or figuratively, the faintest trace of something.
Common mistake
Breath is the noun (rhymes with "death"); breathe is the verb (rhymes with "seethe"). Mixing up the spelling is one of the most common English errors.
Common pairings
take a breath
hold your breath
out of breath
breath of fresh air
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Word forms
- Plural
- breaths
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She took a deep _____ before diving in.
Etymology
From Old English brǣþ, originally referring to a vapor or scent, related to a Germanic word for exhaled vapor.
Synonyms
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breathing
inhalation
exhalation
gulp of air
gasp
hint
breather
intimation
breathing time
breathing place
breathing space
breathing spell
Related words
Rhymes for breath
See all rhymes for breath →Frequently asked questions
What does “breath” mean?
The word “breath” means the air drawn into or expelled from the lungs; a single instance of breathing. In plain terms, the air you breathe in and out, or figuratively, the faintest trace of something.
How do you pronounce “breath”?
“Breath” is pronounced brehth (/bɹɛθ/ in IPA).
How do you use “breath” in a sentence?
Here is “breath” used in a sentence: “She took a deep breath before diving in.”
What part of speech is “breath”?
“Breath” is a noun.
Where does the word “breath” come from?
The word “breath” comes from Old English. From Old English brǣþ, originally referring to a vapor or scent, related to a Germanic word for exhaled vapor.
Is “breath” a common word?
“Breath” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “breath” have?
“Breath” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the air drawn into or expelled from the lungs; a single instance of breathing.
What is the difference between breath and breathe?
Breath is a noun, the air you take in or let out, and rhymes with 'death.' Breathe is the verb, the act of taking that air in and out, and rhymes with 'seethe.' You take a breath, but you breathe. The extra 'e' and the softer sound mark the verb.
What is the difference between breath and breadth?
Breath is the air moving in and out of your lungs. Breadth is the measurement of how wide something is, or its range, as in 'the breadth of her knowledge.' They look similar but are unrelated; breath concerns breathing, while breadth concerns width or extent.
What does 'take a breath' mean?
Literally, to take a breath is to draw air into your lungs. Figuratively, the phrase means to pause and calm yourself, as in 'take a breath before you answer.' It suggests stopping for a moment to steady your nerves or gather your thoughts before continuing.
What is a 'breath of fresh air'?
Literally it means clean outdoor air, welcome after being indoors. As an idiom, 'a breath of fresh air' describes a person or thing that feels refreshingly new, different, or welcome, as in 'her honesty was a breath of fresh air.' It carries a positive, uplifting tone.
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