noun
breath
brehth
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."
2
A slight trace or hint of something.
"There wasn't a breath of wind all afternoon."
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
Word Forms
breaths plural
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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.