breathe
To draw air into (inhale), and expel air from (exhale), the lungs in order to extract oxygen and excrete waste gases.
Verb 4 meanings
To draw air into (inhale), and expel air from (exhale), the lungs in order to extract oxygen and excrete waste gases.
To take in needed gases and expel waste gases in a similar way.
“Fish have gills so they can breathe underwater.”
To inhale (a gas) to sustain life.
“While life as we know it depends on oxygen, scientists have speculated that alien life forms might breathe chlorine or methane.”
To live.
“I will not allow it, as long as I still breathe.”
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.
Similar and opposite words
BREATHE at a glance
BREATHE has 7 letters and scores 12 points in Scrabble (B 3 + R 1 + E 1 + A 1 + T 1 + H 4 + E 1) and 12 in Words With Friends, before board bonuses. It ranks #4,496 by how often it appears in everyday English. It is valid in ENABLE, NWL2023, Collins/SOWPODS.
Rhymes with breathe
All rhymes- BATHE10
- SOOTHE9
- LOATHE9
- LATHE8
- TITHE8
- SCYTHE14
- CLOTHE11
- ABSINTHE13
- BLITHE11
- LITHE8
- SWATHE12
- SUNBATHE13
One letter away
- BREATHS12
- BREATHY15
- WREATHE13
Keep going
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