breath
Breath refers to the air taken into or expelled from the lungs during respiration. It can also describe a single act of inhaling or exhaling, or metaphorically, a slight suggestion or trace of something.
Examples
3 of 5He took a deep breath before diving into the swimming pool.
He took a deep breath before diving into the swimming pool.
The patient presented with shortness of breath and mild chest pain.
The patient presented with shortness of breath and mild chest pain.
I was totally out of breath after running up those three flights of stairs.
I was totally out of breath after running up those three flights of stairs.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Breath rhymes with death. If you stop taking a breath, you face death.
Quick Quiz
The mountain air was so cold that I could see my own ___.
Correct!
The correct answer is: breath
Examples
He took a deep breath before diving into the swimming pool.
everydayHe took a deep breath before diving into the swimming pool.
The patient presented with shortness of breath and mild chest pain.
formalThe patient presented with shortness of breath and mild chest pain.
I was totally out of breath after running up those three flights of stairs.
informalI was totally out of breath after running up those three flights of stairs.
The study analyzes the chemical composition of human breath to detect early signs of disease.
academicThe study analyzes the chemical composition of human breath to detect early signs of disease.
The new marketing strategy was a breath of fresh air for the stagnant department.
businessThe new marketing strategy was a breath of fresh air for the stagnant department.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
a breath of fresh air
a breath of fresh air (something new and refreshing)
under one's breath
under one's breath (whispering quietly)
don't hold your breath
don't hold your breath (don't expect something to happen soon)
Often Confused With
Breath is the noun (rhymes with 'death'), while breathe is the verb (rhymes with 'seethe') and ends with an 'e'.
Breadth refers to the width or scope of something, whereas breath refers to air in the lungs.
Usage Notes
Breath is a countable noun when referring to individual inhalations, but can be uncountable when referring to the general concept of air. It is often used in idiomatic expressions to describe speed or novelty.
Common Mistakes
The most frequent error is spelling the noun as 'breathe'. Remember that the noun is shorter and lacks the final 'e'.
Memory Tip
Breath rhymes with death. If you stop taking a breath, you face death.
Word Origin
From Old English 'bræth', which originally meant an odor, scent, or exhalation.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many cultures, 'breath' is synonymous with the spirit or life force (e.g., 'prana' in Sanskrit or 'pneuma' in Greek).
Quick Quiz
The mountain air was so cold that I could see my own ___.
Correct!
The correct answer is: breath
Related Grammar Rules
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
for
A1Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.
not
A1A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.
with
A1A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.
he
A1A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
at
A1A preposition used to indicate a specific point, location, or position in space. It is also used to specify a particular point in time or a certain state or activity.
but
A1A coordinating conjunction used to connect two statements that contrast with each other. It is used to introduce an added statement that is different from what has already been mentioned.
his
A1This word is used to show that something belongs to or is associated with a male person or animal previously mentioned. It functions as both a possessive determiner used before a noun and a possessive pronoun used on its own.
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