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Definition and meaning of English word "breathe"

breathe

/briːð/

Meaning

Verb

To draw air into (inhale), and expel air from (exhale), the lungs in order to extract oxygen and excrete waste gases.

Reviewed by the TheLernen language teamDefinition sourced from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0)

How to use

The verb 'breathe' is essential for describing basic human functions and is used in various contexts, including medical, scientific, and everyday conversations. A common learner mistake is confusing 'breathe' with 'breath,' which refers to the air inhaled or exhaled. For example, 'Take a deep breath and then breathe slowly.'

🇬🇧 English

breathe

Example

The fish can breathe underwater.

She needs to breathe deeply to calm down.

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Synonyms

to breathe into breathe outto breathe or take breath

Common phrases

  • breathe deeplyto inhale and exhale slowly and deeply
  • breathe a sigh of reliefto feel a sense of comfort or relaxation
  • breathe life into somethingto give energy or vitality to something

This concept in other languages

Frequency rank: #844 in English

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does the English word "breathe" mean?

The English word "breathe" means "breathe" in English.

How do you pronounce the English word "breathe"?

You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "breathe" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.

Can I see an example sentence with "breathe"?

Yes, here is a practical example: "She can barely breathe after running so fast." (which translates as "breathe").

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