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(ordered by seriousness) ESL Vocabulary Lists Parts of Speech Lists A-Z Idioms and Proverbs Tests and Games Top Tip Install a grammar checker
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Breath or Breathe?
What Is the Difference between "Breath" and "Breathe"?
"Breath" and "breathe" are easy to confuse because their spellings are so similar.- Breath. "Breath" (which rhymes with "death") is the air inhaled or exhaled during breathing. For example:
- He took his last breath.
- Breathe. "Breathe" (which rhymes with "seethe") means to inhale and expel air from the lungs. For example:
- I can't breathe.

"Breath" is a noun. "Breathe" is a verb. (This is why the infographic says "to breathe.")
How to Pronounce "Breath" and "Breathe"
Listen to how "breath" and "breathe" are pronounced:
More about "Breath"
The word "breath" is a noun that means the air either inhaled or exhaled during breathing. Colloquially, it can also mean a short pause (e.g., Take a breath and try again.)If you remember that "breath" rhymes with "death," you will not confuse it with "breathe."
Example sentences with "breath":
- Paul pinched his nose, took a breath and jumped off the boat.
- He would fight until his last breath.
More about "Breathe"
The word "breathe" (which rhymes with "seethe") is a verb with the following three closely related meanings:(1) To inhale and expel air from the lungs.
- I can't breathe.
- Is she breathing?
- The new synthetic material can breathe to prevent moisture building up against the skin.
- He breathed new life into the project.
- He breathed a sigh of relief.
Common Terms with "Breath" and "Breathe"
Here are some common terms with the word "breath":- bad breath
- breath control
- breath droplets
- breath freshener
- breath of the Wild (console game)
- breaths per minute
- hold your breath
- a deep breath
- take my breath away
- breathe deeply
- breathe underwater
- breathing control (Remember that "breathe" drops the "e" when "ing" is added.)
- breathing difficulty
- I can't breathe
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