# breathe

/ˈbɹið/ (US) · /bɹˈiːð/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/breathe
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to inhale and exhale

verb · CEFR B1

to take air into your lungs and then send it out again.

For teachers: to inhale and exhale air through the respiratory system to facilitate gas exchange.

- The doctor told me to breathe in deeply while she listened to my chest.
- After sprinting to catch the bus, he stood on the pavement for several minutes trying to breathe normally again.

Usage: Intransitive or transitive; when transitive, the object is usually the substance inhaled, such as 'breathe smoke'.

### 2. to whisper

verb · CEFR C1 · Literary

to say something very quietly or softly.

For teachers: to utter words very quietly, often as a whisper or a soft sigh.

- Don't breathe a word of this secret to anyone else.
- She leaned closer to breathe a final warning into his ear before disappearing into the crowded ballroom.

Usage: Often used in the negative idiom 'not breathe a word'.

### 3. fabric/material

verb · CEFR B2

when a material or fabric allows air to pass through it easily.

For teachers: of a garment or material, to allow air and moisture to circulate through the fibres.

- Cotton is a popular summer fabric because it allows your skin to breathe.
- The new synthetic membrane is designed to breathe during intense physical activity, preventing the buildup of sweat inside the jacket.

### 4. to live and feel

verb · CEFR C1 · Literary

to be very dedicated to something, as if it is the most important part of your life.

For teachers: to be intensely or passionately devoted to a particular activity or interest.

- He loves his job so much that he lives and breathes football.
- The young artist seemed to breathe the atmosphere of the studio, spending every waking hour perfecting her technique.

## Examples

- Take a deep breath and try to relax.
- The yoga instructor told the class to breathe slowly through their noses to help calm their minds.
- As the climber reached the summit, the air became so thin that she found it difficult to breathe without the assistance of supplemental oxygen.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.