Your breath is the air that you let out through your mouth when you breathe. If someone has bad breath, their breath smells unpleasant.
I could smell the whisky on his breath.
Smoking causes bad breath.
2. variable noun
When you take a breath, you breathe in once.
He took a deep breath, and began to climb the stairs.
Gasping for breath, she leaned against the door.
He spoke for one and a half hours and barely paused for breath.
Synonyms: inhalation, breathing, pant, gasp More Synonyms of breath
3. singular noun [usually with brd-neg, usually NOUNof noun]
If you say that there is not a breathof wind or air, you are emphasizing that there is no wind and the air is very still.
[written, emphasis]
Not even a breath of wind stirred the pine branches.
Synonyms: gust, sigh, puff, flutter More Synonyms of breath
4. singular noun [NOUNof noun]
A breath of something, is a small amount of it.
[written]
It was left to Martina to add a breath of common sense to the proceedings.
Synonyms: trace, suggestion, hint, whisper More Synonyms of breath
5.
See for a breath of fresh air/for a breath of air
6.
See be a breath of fresh air
7.
See get one's breath back
8.
See catch one's breath
9.
See to catch your breath
10.
See to draw breath
11.
See to hold your breath
12.
See hold one's breath
13.
See not hold one's breath
14.
See last breath
15.
See be out of breath
16.
See in the same breath
17.
See short of breath
18.
See take one's breath away
19.
See under one's breath
20.
See to waste your breath
21. with bated breath
22. to fight for breath
More Synonyms of breath
breath in British English
(brɛθ)
noun
1.
the intake and expulsion of air during respiration
2.
the air inhaled or exhaled during respiration
3.
a single respiration or inhalation of air, etc
4.
the vapour, heat, or odour of exhaled air
his breath on the window melted the frost
5.
a slight gust of air
6.
a short pause or rest
take a breath for five minutes
7.
a brief time
it was done in a breath
8.
a suggestion or slight evidence; suspicion
a breath of scandal
9.
a whisper or soft sound
10.
life, energy, or vitality
the breath of new industry
11. 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 (sense 12)
12. a breath of fresh air
13. catch one's breath
14. hold one's breath
15. in the same breath
16. out of breath
17. save one's breath
18. take one's breath away
19. under one's breath
Word origin
Old English brǣth; related to brǣdan to burn, Old High German brādam heat, breath
breath in American English
(brɛθ)
noun
1.
air taken into the lungs and then let out
2.
the act of breathing; respiration
3.
the power to breathe easily and naturally
to get one's breath back
4.
life or spirit
5.
air or vapor given off from anything
6.
air carrying fragrance or odor
7.
a puff or whiff, as of air; slight breeze
8.
moisture produced by a condensing of the breath, as in cold air
9.
an utterance, esp. in a low voice; whisper or murmur
10.
the time taken by a single respiration; a moment
11.
a slight pause or rest
12.
a faint hint or indication
13. Phonetics
a voiceless exhalation of the airstream with relative stillness at the vocal cords, as in pronouncing (s) or (p)
Idioms:
catch one's breath
in the same breath
out of breath
save one's breath
take someone's breath away
under one's breath
Word origin
ME breth < OE bræth, odor, exhalation < IE base *bher-, well up > ferment, barm, brood
More idioms containing
breath
with bated breath
take your breath away
someone is wasting their breath
in the same breath
hold your breath
a breath of fresh air
Examples of 'breath' in a sentence
breath
Take a deep breath and just go with it as you join the busy traffic.
The Sun (2017)
He was almost double the limit in a breath test.
The Sun (2017)
This campaign they remain a breath of fresh air due to the honesty of their manager.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Just remember to stop holding your breath.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Take a slow, deep breath for at least three seconds.
The Sun (2017)
Are you short of breath?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I have to stop for a moment or two, and not just to catch my breath.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
They won't have bad breath under the mistletoe, at least.
The Sun (2016)
Or, deep breath, has his attention wandered?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
As we sit looking across the Thames, he pauses to catch his breath.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You have probably had walking enough with your short breath.
George Eliot Daniel Deronda (1876)
We are out there to fight until the last breath.
The Sun (2010)
Take another deep breath and imagine the colour violet as you breathe out.
Vera Peiffer POSITIVE THINKING: Everything you have always known about positive thinking but wereafraid to put into practice (2001)
The cavern that appears makes me catch my breath.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
When mouth breathing is habitual during the day as well bad breath is far more pronounced.
Chaitow, Leon Bad Breath (1994)
Try breathing through your nose into your belly and let the breath out through your mouth.
The Sun (2015)
The cost of a room here can take your breath away.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
We also need more officers out on the roads carrying out breath tests.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
He was a breath of fresh air then and he still is now.
The Sun (2010)
Taking a breath felt like climbing a mountain.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
When he walks down the stairwell he feels a breath of wind touch his face.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The mother may be feeling short of breath as the uterus pushes against her lungs.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
It paused for breath last summer but has since been moving ahead.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Take a deep breath and simply say what you found.
The Sun (2013)
His successor is a breath of fresh air.
The Sun (2009)
It is hard to catch your breath after a rally exceeding ten strokes.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
We sit cramped up at a desk and breathe little shallow breaths with the top of our lungs.
One day we may be able to declare the eurozone crisis over but you would not want to hold your breath.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
With each breath, breathe in that confidence you now feel.
Pete Cohen and Sten Cummins with Jennai Cox HABIT BUSTING: A 10-step plan that will change your life (2002)
In other languages
breath
British English: breath /brɛθ/ NOUN
Your breath is the air which you take into and let out of your lungs when you breathe.
I could smell the garlic on his breath.
American English: breath
Arabic: نَفَس
Brazilian Portuguese: respiração
Chinese: 呼吸
Croatian: dah
Czech: dech
Danish: ånde
Dutch: adem
European Spanish: aliento
Finnish: hengitys
French: haleine
German: Atem
Greek: ανάσα
Italian: alito
Japanese: 息
Korean: 숨
Norwegian: pust
Polish: oddech
European Portuguese: respiração
Romanian: respirație
Russian: дыхание
Latin American Spanish: aliento
Swedish: andetag
Thai: ลมหายใจ
Turkish: nefes
Ukrainian: дихання
Vietnamese: hơi thở
All related terms of 'breath'
bad breath
halitosis
breath test
A breath test is a test carried out by police in which a driver blows into a special bag or electronic device to show how much alcohol he or she has drunk .
last breath
When someone takes their last breath , they die .
baby's-breath
a tall Eurasian caryophyllaceous plant, Gypsophila paniculata , bearing small white or pink fragrant flowers
babies'-breath
→ baby's breath
breath freshener
a mint or other sweet that one can suck or chew to release a scent that freshens the breath
out of breath
gasping for air after exertion
to draw breath
If you do not have time to draw breath , you do not have time to have a break from what you are doing.
be out of breath
If you are out of breath , you are breathing very quickly and with difficulty because you have been doing something energetic .
catch one's breath
When you catch your breath while you are doing something energetic , you stop for a short time so that you can start breathing normally again.
hold one's breath
If you say that someone is holding their breath , you mean that they are waiting anxiously or excitedly for something to happen .
hold your breath
to wait in an anxious or excited way to see what happens next
intake of breath
When someone takes an intake of breath , they breathe in quickly and noisily, usually because they are shocked at something.
save one's breath
to refrain from useless talk
short of breath
If you are short of breath , you find it difficult to breathe properly, for example because you are ill . You can also say that someone suffers from shortness of breath .
under one's breath
If you say something under your breath , you say it in a very quiet voice, often because you do not want other people to hear what you are saying .
with bated breath
If you wait for something with bated breath , you wait anxiously to find out what will happen .
in the same breath
You can use in the same breath or in the next breath to indicate that someone says two very different or contradictory things, especially when you are criticizing them.
shortness of breath
dyspnea; breathing difficulties
take a deep breath
If you say that you took a deep breath before doing something dangerous or frightening , you mean that you tried to make yourself feel strong and confident .
get one's breath back
When you get your breath back after doing something energetic , you start breathing normally again.
not hold one's breath
If you say that you won't hold your breath , you mean that you do not expect something to happen even though someone has suggested that it might .
take your breath away
to amaze and impress you
to catch your breath
If something makes you catch your breath , it makes you take a short breath of air, usually because it shocks you.
to fight for breath
If you fight for breath , you try to breathe but find it very difficult.
to hold your breath
If you hold your breath , you make yourself stop breathing for a few moments , for example because you are under water.
to waste your breath
If someone says you are wasting your breath , they mean that the person you are talking to will not take any notice and so there is no point saying anything to them.
breathtaking
If you say that something is breathtaking , you are emphasizing that it is extremely beautiful or amazing .
a breath of fresh air
someone or something that is pleasantly different from what you are used to
take one's breath away
If you say that something takes your breath away , you are emphasizing that it is extremely beautiful or surprising.
be a breath of fresh air
If you describe something new or different as a breath of fresh air , you mean that it makes a situation or subject more interesting or exciting .
take someone's breath away
strike someone with awe ; thrill
someone is wasting their breath
said to mean that there is no point in someone continuing with what they are saying , because it will not have any effect
for a breath of fresh air/for a breath of air
If you go outside for a breath of fresh air or for a breath of air , you go outside because it is unpleasantly warm indoors .
Chinese translation of 'breath'
breath
(brɛθ)
n
(c/u) (= intake of air) 呼吸 (hūxī) (下, xià)
(u) (= air from mouth) 口气(氣) (kǒuqì)
out of breath上气(氣)不接下气(氣) (shàngqì bùjiē xiàqì)
under one's breath低声(聲)说(說) (dīshēng shuō)
bad breath口臭 (kǒuchòu)
to get one's breath back (Brit) 恢复(復)正常呼吸 (huīfù zhèngcháng hūxī)
to go out for a breath of (fresh) air出去呼吸(新鲜(鮮))空气(氣) (chūqù hūxī (xīnxiān) kōngqì)
a breath of fresh air (fig) 新意 (xīnyì)
there wasn't a breath of wind一丝(絲)风(風)都没(沒)有 (yī sī fēng dōu méiyǒu)
to catch one's breath喘口气(氣) (chuǎn kǒu qì)
to hold one's breath屏住呼吸 (bǐngzhù hūxī)
don't hold your breath! (fig, inf) 别(別)太指望了！ (bié tài zhǐwàng le!)
to be short of breath呼吸短促 (hūxī duǎncù)
to take a deep breath深呼一口气(氣) (shēn hū yī kǒu qì)
it takes your breath away使人心醉神迷 (shǐ rén xīn zuì shén mí)
All related terms of 'breath'
bad breath
口臭 kǒuchòu
breath test
呼吸测(測)醉分析 hūxī cèzuì fēnxī
out of breath
上气(氣)不接下气(氣) shàngqì bùjiē xiàqì
under one's breath
低声(聲)说(說) dīshēng shuō
to hold one's breath
屏住呼吸 bǐngzhù hūxī
to pause for breath
停下来(來)喘口气(氣) tíng xiàlái chuǎn kǒu qì
don't hold your breath!
( fig : inf ) 别(別)太指望了！ bié tài zhǐwàng le!
to catch one's breath
喘口气(氣) chuǎn kǒu qì
a breath of fresh air
( fig ) 新意 xīnyì
to be short of breath
呼吸短促 hūxī duǎncù
to gasp for breath/air
气(氣)喘 qìchuǎn
to get one's breath back
( Brit ) 恢复(復)正常呼吸 huīfù zhèngcháng hūxī
to take a deep breath
深呼一口气(氣) shēn hū yī kǒu qì
it takes your breath away
使人心醉神迷 shǐ rén xīn zuì shén mí
there wasn't a breath of wind
一丝(絲)风(風)都没(沒)有 yī sī fēng dōu méiyǒu
to go out for a breath of (fresh) air
出去呼吸(新鲜(鮮))空气(氣) chūqù hūxī (xīnxiān) kōngqì
1 (noun)
I had nearly run out of breath when the boat was lifted.
Synonyms
air
Draughts help to circulate air.
wind
During the night the wind had blown down the fence.
oxygen
puff (informal)
2 (noun)
Definition
to speak softly
He took a deep breath and began to climb the stairs.
Synonyms
inhalation
a complete cycle of inhalation and exhalation
breathing
pant
His breath was coming in short pants.
gasp
She gave a small gasp of pain.
gulp
wheeze
She puffed up the stairs, emitting a wheeze at every breath.
exhalation
the quick exhalation of breath through the nostrils
respiration
3 (noun)
Definition
to impart
Not even a breath of wind stirred the pine branches.
Synonyms
gust
A gust of wind drove down the valley.
sigh
puff
an occasional puff of air stirring the brittle leaves
flutter
flurry
A flurry of snowflakes was scudding by the window.
whiff
At the first whiff of smoke, the alarm will go off.
draught
Block draughts around doors and windows.
waft
A waft of perfume reached Ingrid's nostrils.
zephyr
slight movement
faint breeze
4 (noun)
Definition
a suggestion or slight evidence
It was left to her to add a breath of common sense.
Synonyms
trace
Wash them in cold water to remove all traces of sand.
suggestion
that fashionably faint suggestion of a tan
hint
I glanced at her and saw no hint of irony on her face.
whisper
There is a whisper of conspiracy about the whole affair.
suspicion
large blooms of white with a suspicion of pale pink
murmur
She spoke in a low murmur.
undertone
The sobbing voice had an undertone of anger.
intimation
I did not have any intimation that he was going to resign.
5 (noun)
Definition
the vapour, heat, or odour of air breathed out
A breath of cooking smell crept to her from the kitchen.
Synonyms
odour
the faint odour of garlic on his breath
smell
the smell of freshly baked bread
aroma
the wonderful aroma of freshly baked bread
whiff
He caught a whiff of her perfume.
vapour
a cloud of poisonous vapour
niff (British, slang)
6 (noun)
Definition
a short pause or rest
He had to stop for breath.
Synonyms
rest
He took a rest from teaching.
breather (informal)
Relax and take a breather whenever you feel that you need one.
7 (noun)
Here is no light, no breath, no warm flesh.
Synonyms
life
a newborn baby's first minutes of life
energy
At 65 years old, her energy is wonderful.
existence
Public worries about accidents are threatening the very existence of the nuclear power industry.
vitality
He fell in love with her for her vitality and sense of fun.
animation
They both spoke with animation.
life force
lifeblood
Coal and steel were the region's lifeblood.
mauri (New Zealand)
idiom
See take your breath away
Additional synonyms
in the sense of animation
Definition
liveliness and enthusiasm
They both spoke with animation.
Synonyms
liveliness,
life,
action,
activity,
energy,
spirit,
passion,
enthusiasm,
excitement,
pep,
sparkle,
vitality,
vigour,
zeal,
verve,
zest,
fervour,
high spirits,
dynamism,
buoyancy,
elation,
exhilaration,
welly (slang),
gaiety,
ardour (old-fashioned),
vibrancy,
brio,
zing (informal),
vivacity,
ebullience,
briskness,
airiness,
sprightliness,
pizzazz or pizazz (informal)
in the sense of aroma
Definition
a distinctive pleasant smell
the wonderful aroma of freshly baked bread
Synonyms
scent,
smell,
perfume,
fragrance,
bouquet,
savour,
odour,
redolence
in the sense of breather
Definition
a short pause for rest
Relax and take a breather whenever you feel that you need one.