English Reference
Word noun

breath

n.
US /ˈbɹɛθ/ UK /bɹˈɛθ/ breath UK spelling breaths
Definition
  1. 01 A2 Elementary

    the air that you take into your lungs and then let out.

    the air inhaled into or exhaled from the lungs during respiration.

    Simple

    “He could see his breath in the cold morning air.”

    In context

    “The hiker paused to watch his breath condense into a white mist against the freezing mountain air.”

    Pitfall
    It was hard to breath after the run. It was hard to breathe after the run.

    Breath is the noun (the air); breathe is the verb (the action).

    Synonyms
    exhalationinhalation
  2. 02 A2 Elementary

    one single time that you take air in or let it out.

    a single act of respiration.

    Simple

    “Take a deep breath and try to relax before the presentation.”

    In context

    “The swimmer took one final deep breath before diving into the pool to begin the final lap of the race.”

    Synonyms
    gaspgulp
  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate Literary

    a very small amount of wind or air.

    a slight movement of air; a light breeze.

    Simple

    “There wasn't even a breath of wind to move the leaves.”

    In context

    “The sails hung limp and useless, as there was not a breath of wind to stir the heavy afternoon heat.”

    Synonyms
    breezepuffwhisper
  4. 04 B1 Intermediate

    a short rest or a pause to catch your energy.

    a brief pause or interval of rest, especially to recover from physical exertion.

    Simple

    “The workers stopped for a breath after carrying the heavy furniture upstairs.”

    In context

    “After the frantic opening sequence, the play allows the audience a breath before the tension begins to build again.”

    Synonyms
    pausebreakrest
Don't confuse

breath vs breathe — Breath is the noun for the air itself, while breathe is the verb for the action of moving that air.

Etymology

From Middle English breeth, breth, from Old English brǣþ (“odor, scent, stink, exhalation, vapor”), from Proto-West Germanic *brāþi (“vapour, waft, exhalation, breath”) (compare German Brodem (“haze, vapor; breath”), of a different but related formation).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin gmw-pro *brāþi
Level B1 · Intermediate
Frequency Common
Updated