# breathe

> English word · Verb · IPA /bɹiːð/ · frequency rank #4,581

## Definitions
1. To draw air into (inhale), and expel air from (exhale), the lungs in order to extract oxygen and excrete waste gases.
2. To take in needed gases and expel waste gases in a similar way.
3. To inhale (a gas) to sustain life.
4. To live.
5. To draw something into the lungs.
6. To expel air from the lungs, exhale.
7. To exhale or expel (something) in the manner of breath.
8. To give an impression of, to exude.
9. To whisper quietly.
10. To pass like breath; noiselessly or gently; to emanate; to blow gently.
11. To inspire (scripture).
12. To exchange gases with the environment.
13. Of a material etc., to allow gases to pass through.
14. To rest; to stop and catch one's breath.
15. To stop, to give (a horse) an opportunity to catch its breath.
16. To exercise; to tire by brisk exercise.
17. To passionately devote much of one's life to (an activity, etc.).

## Etymology
From Middle English brethen (“to breathe, blow, exhale, odour”), derived from Middle English breth (“breath”). Eclipsed Middle English ethien and orðiæn, from Old English ēþian and orþian (“to breathe”); as well as Middle English anden, onden, from Old Norse anda (“to breathe”). More at breath.

## Easily confused with
- **breaths** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/breathe-vs-breaths)
- **breathes** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/breathe-vs-breathes)
- **breathed** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/breathe-vs-breathed)
- **breather** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/breathe-vs-breather)
- **bathe** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bathe-vs-breathe)
- **breath** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/breath-vs-breathe)
- **breach** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/breach-vs-breathe)
- **Beatle** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/beatle-vs-breathe)
- **breadth** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/breadth-vs-breathe)
- **breached** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/breached-vs-breathe)
- **breaches** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/breaches-vs-breathe)

## Common misspellings (10)
`bbreathe`, `berathe`, `braethe`, `breahte`, `breateh`, `breathhe`, `breatthe`, `bretahe`, `brreathe`, `rbeathe`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-09-03.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/breathe