What is breath? Pronunciation and usage in English

breath means . Learn how to pronounce and use breath through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of breath

breathnoun

/brɛθ/
Definition & pronunciation of breath

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "breath" in English. It's a tricky one for some learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. The Basic Sound:

  • "B": Pronounced like the "b" in "ball." Simple!
  • "re": This is the tricky part. It's a diphthong – a combination of two vowel sounds. Think of it as a glide from one vowel to another. The “re” sound should be like the “air” in "air" but slightly more forward in your mouth. (It's not quite the same as the "er" in "her").
  • "th": This is a "th" sound, as in "this" or "think." It's a voiceless dental fricative – you make a slight friction with your tongue against your teeth.

2. Putting it Together - The Rhythm and Emphasis:

  • Stress: The stress is on the second syllable: breath (like you’re saying “breathe”).
  • Flow: The "re" sound should connect smoothly with the "th." Don't pronounce them as separate sounds.

3. How it sounds (Important!):

It's hard to describe purely through words, so hearing it is key. Here are a few ways to hear it:

  • Google Search: Go to Google and type "how to pronounce 'breath' in English." You’ll find audio examples.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/breath/ – Forvo is a website with pronunciations from native speakers.
  • YouTube: Search "how to pronounce 'breath' English" on YouTube.

4. Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them:

  • Saying "breth": This is a very common mistake. Don't drop the "a."
  • Making the "re" sound too short: Let the "re" glide smoothly into the "th." Hold it for a little longer than you might think.
  • Saying "breath" with a hard "th" like "this": The "th" in "breath" is light and almost whispered.

Tips for Practice:

  • Record yourself: Record yourself saying "breath" and compare it to a native speaker’s pronunciation.
  • Slow it down: Practice saying it slowly at first, focusing on each sound.
  • Exaggerate: At first, exaggerate the "re" sound to get a feel for it. Then, gradually make it more natural.

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you from? (Some pronunciation habits vary between regions.)
  • Are there any sounds you find particularly challenging in English?

Usage and examples with the word breath in English

Let's break down how to use the word "breath" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with multiple meanings! Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. As a Noun (the physical act of breathing):

  • Basic Definition: The process of inhaling and exhaling air.
    • "I need to take a breath." (meaning: to slow down and take a deep breath)
    • "He took a deep breath before speaking."
    • "She stopped to catch her breath."
    • "Lung capacity refers to the amount of air a person can breath.”
  • Figurative Use (for a moment of pause): Suggesting a brief pause or respite.
    • "He paused for a breath." (Meaning: he took a short break.)
    • “Let me get a breath of fresh air.” (meaning a short break)

2. As a Noun (air itself):

  • A single instance of air inhaled or exhaled:
    • “I felt a breath of air on my face.”
    • "He offered her a warm breath." (This is less common, often used poetically or dramatically – it’s a gesture of comfort).
  • A small amount of air: (Rare usage)
    • “He spoke in a whisper, giving only a faint breath of sound.”

3. As a Verb (to inhale or exhale):

  • Basic Action: The act of inhaling or exhaling.
    • "We breathe air."
    • "She was trying to breathe deeply.”
    • “He breathed a sigh of relief.” (Meaning: he exhaled, expressing relief)
  • Figurative – To express or offer something (often emotions):
    • "He breathed a prayer." (Meaning: he uttered a prayer)
    • "She breathed a sigh of disappointment." (Meaning: she expressed disappointment)
    • “The sculptor breathed life into the clay.” (Meaning: he gave it form and created it)

4. Figurative Uses (Beyond the Literal):

  • Life or Spirit: This is where "breath" gets really interesting and poetic.

    • "The air was filled with the breath of the forest.” (Meaning: the atmosphere, the essence of the forest)
    • “He felt a spark of breath in his soul.” (Meaning: renewed energy, inspiration)
    • “The poet captured the very breath of the subject.”(Meaning: he vividly described the subject and its essence)

  • Emotion or Feeling:

    • “He took a deep breath of hope.” (Meaning: he experienced a surge of hope)

Here’s a table summarizing the different uses:

Part of Speech Meaning Example
Noun Act of breathing “I need to take a breath.”
Noun Air “I felt a breath of air.”
Verb To inhale/exhale “We breathe.”
Verb Express an emotion/action "He breathed a sigh of relief."
Figurative Life, spirit, essence “The air was filled with the breath.”

Tips for Using “Breath” Effectively:

  • Context is key: The meaning of "breath" will usually be clear from the context of the sentence.
  • Pay attention to tone: "Breath" is often used in more formal or literary writing, particularly when used figuratively.
  • Variations: "Breaths" (plural) refers to multiple instances of breathing.

Would you like me to:

  • Give you some more specific examples?
  • Focus on a particular usage of "breath" (e.g., figurative uses)?
  • Provide some practice sentences for you to try?

Synonyms for the word breath

Idioms of the word breath

a breath of (fresh) air
clean air breathed in after being indoors or in a dirty atmosphere
  • We'll get a breath of fresh air at lunchtime.
  • I'm going outside for a breath of fresh air.
a breath of fresh air
a person, thing or place that is new and different and therefore interesting and exciting
  • The new secretary is a breath of fresh air.
the breath of life to/for somebody
(literary)an essential part of a person’s existence
  • Playing the violin has been the breath of life to her for over 20 years.
catch your breath
to stop breathing for a moment because of fear, shock, etc.
  • When he said he had resigned, I caught my breath in surprise.
British Englishto start to be able to breathe normally again after running or doing exercise that makes you tired
    draw breath
    to stop doing something and rest
    • She talks all the time and hardly stops to draw breath.
    • He spoke solidly for twenty minutes, barely pausing to draw breath.
    (literary)to live; to be alive
    • He was as kind a man as ever drew breath.
    get your breath (again/back)
    to breathe normally again after running or doing exercise that makes you tired
    • I needed a few minutes to get my breath back after the run.
    • She paused to catch her breath.
    hold your breath
    to stop breathing for a short time
    • Hold your breath and count to ten.
    • How long can you hold your breath for?
    to be nervous while you are waiting for something that you are anxious about
    • He held his breath while the results were read out.
    (informal)people say don’t hold your breath! to emphasize that something will take a long time or may not happen
    • She said she'd do it this week, but don't hold your breath!
    in the same breath
    immediately after saying something that suggests the opposite intention or meaning
    • He praised my work and in the same breath told me I would have to leave.
    his/her last/dying breath
    the last moment of a person’s life
      out of breath
      having difficulty breathing after exercise
      • We were out of breath after only five minutes.
      • I'm a bit out of breath after my run.
      save your breath
      (informal)used to tell somebody that it is not worth wasting time and effort saying something because it will not change anything
      • Save your breath—you'll never persuade her.
      • It's useless talking to him—you may as well save your breath.
      say something, speak, mutter, etc. under your breath
      to say something quietly so that people cannot hear
      • ‘Rubbish!’ she muttered under her breath.
      • He was whispering rude remarks about her under his breath.
      take somebody’s breath away
      to be very surprising or beautiful
      • My first view of the island from the air took my breath away.
      • The sheer audacity of the man took my breath away.
      waste your breath
      to say something that nobody takes any notice of
      • You're just wasting your breath. She never listens.
      with bated breath
      (formal)feeling very anxious or excited
      • We waited with bated breath for the winner to be announced.
      • We waited for the decision with bated breath.

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