breath

[ breth ]

/ brɛθ /

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noun

the air inhaled and exhaled in respiration.

respiration, especially as necessary to life.

life; vitality.

the ability to breathe easily and normally: She stopped to regain her breath.

time to breathe; pause or respite: Give him a little breath.

a single inhalation or respiration: He took a deep breath.

the brief time required for a single respiration; a moment or instant: They gave it to her and took it away all in a breath.

a slight suggestion, hint, or whisper: The breath of slander never touched her.

a light current of air.

Phonetics.

the air drawn into or expelled from the lungs to provide the generative source for most speech sounds.
the audible expiration generating voiceless speech sounds, as (p), (k), (sh), etc.

moisture emitted in respiration, especially when condensed and visible.

a trivial circumstance; trifle.

an odorous exhalation, or the air impregnated by it.

Obsolete. exhalation or vapor.

OTHER WORDS FOR breath

3 spirit, animation, vigor, force.

See synonyms for breath on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about breath

below / under one's breath, in a low voice or whisper; sotto voce: He protested under his breath because he was afraid to speak up.

catch one's breath, to pause or rest before continuing an activity or beginning a new one; resume regular breathing: Let me catch my breath before I begin anything new.

in the same breath, at virtually the same time; almost simultaneously: She lost her temper and apologized in the same breath.

out of breath, exhausted or gasping for breath, in consequence of an effort; breathless: After climbing to the top of the tower, we were so out of breath that we had to sit down.

save one's breath, to avoid futile talk or discussion: We were told to save our breath because the matter had already been decided.

take away one's breath, to make one as if breathless with astonishment; surprise; stun: The sheer beauty of the sea took away my breath.Also take one's breath away.

Origin of breath

before 900; Middle English breth, breeth,Old English brǣth smell, exhalation; akin to German Brodem vapor, steam

OTHER WORDS FROM breath

in·ter·breath, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH breath

breadth, breath , breathe

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use breath in a sentence

But there was a lot of drinking; not too many sober breaths were drawn.
Life After ‘SVU’: Christopher Meloni on ‘They Came Together,’ Stabler, and His Famous Behind|Marlow Stern|June 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Start by breathing normally, then begin rapid in-and-out breaths through your nose.
How to Master the Art of Breathing|Ari Meisel|April 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I popped a teaspoon of coconut oil (purchased at Trader Joe's) into my mouth and took very deep breaths through my nose.
We Were Gwyneth’s GOOP Guinea Pigs|Erin Cunningham, Olivia Nuzzi|March 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Gov. Richardson and I held our breaths, but kept our minds open and our hopes intact.
Ping-Pong Diplomacy Not An Option? Try Ding-Dong Diplomacy|Kevin Bleyer|January 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The Griffins gather to say goodbye to Brian as he takes his last breaths.
‘Family Guy’ Killed Off Brian Last Night. It Was the Right Move.|Kevin Fallon|November 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The bears growl in stupefaction and rage, and take deep breaths to begin again.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 158, April 28, 1920|Various
Pressed close to the door, my mouth in the narrow opening, I draw quick, short breaths.
Prison Memoirs of an Anarchist|Alexander Berkman
Little breaths of air came softly—oh, so softly, and so deadly cold!
The Chequers|James Runciman
It is serious, it is intensely conscious of family, but it can take deep breaths of freedom.
Jaffery|William J. Locke
"I couldn't do it," admitted plump Mrs Everett, drawing deep breaths at the mere thought of such a thing.
In the Onyx Lobby|Carolyn Wells

British Dictionary definitions for breath

breath

/ (brɛθ) /

noun

the intake and expulsion of air during respiration

the air inhaled or exhaled during respiration

a single respiration or inhalation of air, etc

the vapour, heat, or odour of exhaled airhis breath on the window melted the frost

a slight gust of air

a short pause or resttake a breath for five minutes

a brief timeit was done in a breath

a suggestion or slight evidence; suspiciona breath of scandal

a whisper or soft sound

life, energy, or vitalitythe breath of new industry

phonetics the passage of air through the completely open glottis without vibration of the vocal cords, as in exhaling or pronouncing fricatives such as (f) or (h) or stops such as (p) or (k)Compare voice (def. 11)

a breath of fresh air a refreshing change from what one is used to

catch one's breath to rest until breathing is normal, esp after exertion

hold one's breath to wait expectantly or anxiously

in the same breath done or said at the same time

out of breath gasping for air after exertion

save one's breath to refrain from useless talk

take one's breath away to overwhelm with surprise, etc

under one's breath or below one's breath in a quiet voice or whisper

Word Origin for breath

Old English brǣth; related to brǣdan to burn, Old High German brādam heat, breath

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with breath

breath

In addition to the idiom beginning with breath

breathe down someone's neck
breathe easy
breathe life into
breathe one's last
breathing space
breath of fresh air

also see:

catch one's breath
hold one's breath
in the same breath
out of breath
save one's breath
take one's breath away
under one's breath
waste one's breath
with bated breath

breath

OTHER WORDS FOR breath

Idioms about breath

Origin of breath

OTHER WORDS FROM breath

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH breath

Words related to breath

How to use breath in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for breath

Word Origin for breath

Other Idioms and Phrases with breath