Word Noun
breather
n.
countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˈbɹiðɝ/ UK /bɹˈiːðɐ/ breather UK spelling breathers
Definition
n.a short break from an activity to rest or catch your breath. You take a breather when you feel tired or overwhelmed by a task.
n.a brief pause for rest or relaxation during a period of exertion. Typically used with the verb 'take'.
Examples
“I need to take a breather before we start the next task.”
“After hiking uphill for two hours, the group stopped at the summit to take a breather and enjoy the view.”
“The manager suggested the team take a quick breather to clear their heads before diving into the final round of negotiations.”
Usage
Typically appears in the phrase 'take a breather'.
Etymology
From breathe + -er (agent noun suffix) or + -er (relational noun suffix).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated