breath

[ breth ]

/ brɛθ /

See synonyms for breath on Thesaurus.com

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.

SYNONYMS FOR breath

3 spirit, animation, vigor, force.

See synonyms for breath on Thesaurus.com

QUIZZES

THIS PSAT VOCABULARY QUIZ IS PERFECT PRACTICE FOR THE REAL TEST

In our third teacher-created PSAT practice test there are new and unique vocabulary terms you may have never heard of! Can you guess what they mean?

Question 1 of 10

seclusion

a false belief or opinion.

the matter that settles to the bottom of a liquid.

the state of being isolated, kept apart, or withdrawn into solitude.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms for 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. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for breath

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
They grunted and swore under their breaths as they slumped back into their seats.
The National-Security Diaper Scramble|Philip Shishkin|April 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Rather, breaths all around me were wasted on rounds of hushed laughs and snickering.
My Strange Passage From Suspected School Shooter to Prom Queen|Gina Tron|January 28, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Stay here for 10 breaths, or until the restroom has opened up.
8 Ways to Exercise While You Commute|Doree Shafrir|February 18, 2010|DAILY BEAST

The witnesses gawked in horror and fascination and held their breaths.
John Grisham's First Short Story: Part Two|John Grisham|October 26, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Across the dividing fences of two of the blazoned gardens a pair of old crones gossiped under their breaths.
The Forest|Stewart Edward White
The breaths of thyme and balm, lavender and myrtle, were always in that parlour.
The Late Miss Hollingford|Rosa Mulholland
At near eleven o'clock a cannon fires, sthe tent is lifted, and we see; but I am impatient wid my breaths for de gun to go.'
The Adventures of Harry Richmond, Complete|George Meredith
Stahl and the Bishop steered the boat and held their breaths.
Sketches of Our Life at Sarawak|Harriette McDougall
So the Walpurgis ended in darkness, and the company instinctively held their breaths.
The House by the Church-Yard|J. Sheridan Le Fanu

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

Medical definitions for breath

breath

[ brĕth ]

n.

The air inhaled and exhaled in respiration.

A single respiration.

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

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

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WORD OF THE DAY

breath

noun

SYNONYMS FOR breath

QUIZZES

THIS PSAT VOCABULARY QUIZ IS PERFECT PRACTICE FOR THE REAL TEST

Idioms for breath

Origin of breath

OTHER WORDS FROM breath

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH breath

Example sentences from the Web for breath

British Dictionary definitions for breath

noun

Word Origin for breath

Medical definitions for breath

n.

Idioms and Phrases with breath

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

breath

noun

SYNONYMS FOR breath

QUIZZES

THIS PSAT VOCABULARY QUIZ IS PERFECT PRACTICE FOR THE REAL TEST

Idioms for breath

Origin of breath

OTHER WORDS FROM breath

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH breath

Words related to breath

Example sentences from the Web for breath

British Dictionary definitions for breath

noun

Word Origin for breath

Medical definitions for breath

n.

Idioms and Phrases with breath