breathy
Americanadjective
adjective
-
(of the speaking voice) accompanied by an audible emission of breath
-
(of the singing voice) lacking resonance
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of breathy
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
As drivers ratchet up to Sport and Race modes on the manettino controller, the active exhaust valves allow more volume and breathy resonance.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 26, 2026
Although it's only 65 seconds long, it's a perfect showcase for Wolf's breathy vocals and sharp storytelling.
From BBC ● Apr. 28, 2026
The president, played by a breathy, beleaguered Idris Elba and known only by his call sign, “Icon,” is of indeterminate party and ideology.
From Slate ● Mar. 13, 2026
Her voice is low and breathy and her diction is flat, and her vocals sit a hair lower in the mix than one might expect.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 6, 2026
“Do?” the breathy voice whispered into her ear.
From "The Devil's Arithmetic" by Jane Yolen
The study also found that the longer someone underwent vocal therapy, the larger their glottal gap became, giving them a higher pitch and breathier voice.
From Science Magazine ● Dec. 17, 2023
Trans women usually seek out a higher pitched, breathier voice as these are traits typically perceived as feminine.
From Science Magazine ● Dec. 17, 2023
Their laughs are lower-pitched and breathier than that of humans.
From National Geographic ● Feb. 2, 2018
At first the nasal, twerpy whine deepened and straightened itself out into something breathier and more emotional; then the emotion slowly drained away until he became austere.
From New York Times ● Apr. 10, 2011
But, actually, I’m gasping between each word, so it’s breathier than that.
From "Better Nate Than Ever" by Tim Federle
Ms. Jepsen is at her breathiest here: “I wanna play this for you all the time/I wanna play this for you when you’re feeling used and tired.”
From New York Times ● Aug. 19, 2015
She also did her breathiest “Hi, I’m Elizabeth Taylor” to Edward Albee, the playwright of “Virginia Woolf.”
From New York Times ● Jun. 9, 2011
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