breathe
breathe
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "breathe" is /briːð/.
/b/ - voiced bilabial stop
/r/ - voiced alveolar approximant
/iː/ - long close front unrounded vowel
/ð/ - voiced dental fricative
Word Form Variations
Verb:
breathe (base form, infinitive, present simple - I/you/we/they breathe)
breathes (present simple - he/she/it breathes)
breathing (present participle, gerund)
breathed (past simple, past participle)
Noun:
breath (related noun)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Verb
Definition 1: To take air into the lungs and then expel it, as a fundamental physiological process necessary for life.
Synonyms: inhale, exhale, respire
Antonyms: suffocate, choke (in the sense of stopping breathing)
Definition 2: To rest or pause for a short time, often to recover or to allow an intense activity to subside.
Synonyms: rest, pause, relax, recuperate
Antonyms: exert, continue, persist
Definition 3: (Figurative) To show signs of life, spirit, or vitality; to be alive or active.
Synonyms: live, exist, thrive, pulsate
Antonyms: die, cease, wither
Definition 4: (Figurative, often with "into") To infuse with life, energy, or a new spirit; to animate or revitalize.
Synonyms: invigorate, inspire, animate, infuse
Antonyms: stifle, suppress, extinguish
Examples of Use
Books:
"She tried to breathe deeply, but her chest felt tight with anxiety." (From a common phrase found in various contemporary fiction novels, e.g., similar to The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins where characters experience tension)
"Every character in the novel seemed to breathe with a life of their own, making the story incredibly immersive." (From a literary review, a common critical assessment found in academic texts or book review sections of publications like The New York Times Book Review)
"He learned to breathe underwater, a skill he never thought possible until he joined the specialized diving team." (From an adventure or fantasy novel, a common trope found in works like Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson & The Olympians series, though the exact wording may vary)
Newspapers:
"The city's new green spaces allow residents to breathe a little easier, offering respite from the urban concrete." (The Standard, editorial section, example reflecting common local issues like urban development and public spaces)
"After months of intense negotiations, both sides finally agreed to a deal, allowing the market to breathe a sigh of relief." (Business Daily Africa, business section, a common metaphorical use in economic reporting)
"Authorities urged the public to breathe calmly and follow evacuation procedures during the emergency." (Daily Nation, news report, common in public safety announcements during crises)
Online Publications:
"How to Breathe Through Stress: A Guide to Mindfulness Techniques." (Mindful.org or Psychology Today online, article headline, a prevalent topic in wellness and mental health articles)
"This new software lets designers breathe life into their static images with dynamic animations." (TechCrunch or The Verge, product review, common in technology journalism to describe innovative features)
"We need to let the data breathe and analyze it without preconceived notions." (Medium.com article on data science, figurative use, often found in analytical or educational content online)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "Just breathe," the doctor whispered, as the protagonist struggled for air after a traumatic event. (Common movie dialogue, heard in medical dramas like Grey's Anatomy or thrillers like A Quiet Place)
Music: "I can't breathe without you," a line from a popular pop song expressing intense dependence. (Lyrics from various romantic ballads, e.g., similar sentiment to "Every Breath You Take" by The Police, or more modern pop songs about devotion)
Television (documentary): "Watch as the majestic whale comes to the surface to breathe after a deep dive." (Narrator in a nature documentary, e.g., Blue Planet series by BBC Earth)
Video Games: "You need to time your jumps and breathe between intense combat sequences to regain stamina." (In-game tutorial text or character dialogue in an action-adventure game, common in titles like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild where stamina management is key)
Podcasts: "Let's take a moment to breathe and reflect on what we've learned today." (Host of a self-help or educational podcast, a common transition or call to action in mindful listening experiences)
General Public Discourse:
"I just need a moment to breathe after that hectic meeting." (Spoken conversation between colleagues, a very common idiom for needing a break)
"Let's give the new employee some space to breathe and learn the ropes." (Manager advising a team, indicating a need for autonomy and adaptation time)
"The fresh air out here makes you feel like you can truly breathe." (Person enjoying the outdoors, a common expression of relief or appreciation for open spaces)
"This new policy will allow small businesses to breathe again, reducing the burden of regulations." (Politician's statement in a public address, a common rhetorical device used to describe relief from burdens)
"He needs to learn to breathe and not let the pressure get to him." (Coach advising an athlete, common guidance on managing performance anxiety)
10 Famous Quotes Using Breathe
"For me, I am an optimist. I can't be anything else. And I believe that the future will be a future that we can all breathe in." (Wangari Maathai, The Green Belt Movement)
"Every breath we take, every step we make, can be filled with peace, joy and serenity. We just need to wake up and live in the present moment." (Thich Nhat Hanh, Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life)
"I took a deep breathe and listened to the old brag of my heart. I am, I am, I am." (Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar)
"If you want to conquer the anxiety of life, live in the moment, live in the breath." (Amit Ray, Meditation: Insights and Inspirations)
"Just breathe. Ten tiny breaths... Seize your life. Live it. No matter what." (K.A. Tucker, Ten Tiny Breaths)
"Freedom is the right to tell people what they do not want to hear." (George Orwell, though not directly using "breathe," it implies the space to express oneself freely, akin to breathing freely in a society)
"To breathe is to suffer, to hope is to breathe." (Anonymous, a common philosophical sentiment)
"When you own your breath, nobody can steal your peace." (Anonymous, often attributed to various yoga and mindfulness practitioners)
"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty." (John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address, 1961 - while not using "breathe," it speaks to the fundamental conditions under which liberty can "breathe" or thrive)
"And when the world is going to pieces, there is only one thing to do: take a deep breathe, and find your peace within." (Based on various mindfulness teachings)
Etymology
The word "breathe" has a fascinating history that goes back to much older languages.
Imagine English as a tree, with its branches being different words. The word "breathe" is like a younger branch that grew directly from an older, simpler branch: the noun "breath."
Here's the breakdown:
Old English Roots: The very earliest ancestor of "breath" (and thus "breathe") in Old English (the language spoken in England before the Norman Conquest in 1066) was "brǣþ." This word meant "odor," "scent," "exhalation," or "vapor." Think of it as the steam or smell that comes out of something. It also had a sense of warmth or a gentle breeze.
Proto-Germanic Connection: "Brǣþ" itself came from an even older language called Proto-Germanic, which is like the great-grandparent of English, German, Dutch, and other similar languages. In Proto-Germanic, the word was something like "*braþiz," with a similar meaning related to smell or exhalation.
The "Boil" or "Seethe" Link: If you go back even further, to the common ancestor of many European and Indian languages (called Proto-Indo-European), there's a root word like "*bher-" which meant "to boil" or "to seethe." This suggests that the original idea behind "breath" might have been related to the warmth or motion of something bubbling or emanating.
From Noun to Verb: The verb "breathe" came into existence in Middle English (the language spoken in England from about 1150 to 1500). It was formed directly from the noun "breath" (which had evolved from Old English "brǣþ" to Middle English "breth"). So, the idea was that if "breath" is the air you exhale, then "to breathe" is the action of doing that.
First Known Use and Meaning: The first known use of the verb "breathe" in English appeared around 1300. At that time, its primary meaning was "to draw air into and expel it from the lungs," which is the core meaning we still use today. It also had earlier senses, now mostly obsolete, like "to evaporate" or "to give off vapor," directly linking it back to the original "odor" or "vapor" meaning of its noun ancestor.
So, in simple terms, "breathe" evolved from a very old word that first described the "smell" or "vapor" that comes out of something, which then became associated with the "air" that comes out of the lungs, and finally turned into the verb for the act of taking air in and out.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Breathe
Phrases and Idioms with "Breathe":
Breathe easy: To feel relaxed and relieved after a period of worry or difficulty.
Breathe a sigh of relief: To express relief, often audibly, after something worrying or difficult has ended.
Breathe new life into (something): To revitalize or reinvigorate something that was dull or failing.
Breathe down someone's neck: To constantly monitor or pressure someone, often uncomfortably close.
Breathe in / Breathe out: The act of inhaling and exhaling air.
To breathe life into (a character/story): To make something seem realistic, vibrant, or alive.
Not breathe a word: To keep something absolutely secret; to not tell anyone.
Can't breathe: To be overwhelmed, stressed, or suffocated by a situation or emotion.
Let something breathe: To give something space, time, or freedom to develop or improve (e.g., wine, a new idea).
Breathe fire: To express extreme anger or fury.
Lesser-Known/Original Phrases & Idioms with "Breathe" or Synonyms:
Breathe a silent prayer: To offer a quiet, hopeful wish.
Breathe the crisp morning air: To enjoy fresh, cool air at the start of the day.
Breathe through the pain: To endure discomfort or difficulty with resilience.
A chance to exhale: An opportunity for a break or relief.
To respire hope: To embody or give off an aura of optimism.
Gasp for calm: To desperately seek tranquility in a chaotic situation.
Inhale the moment: To fully experience and appreciate the present.
Every gasp of wind: Referring to even the slightest movement or change.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of breathe from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
