breath
gb/bɹˈɛθ/ us/bɹˈɛθ/
A2
English
~ 1800
lélegzet, lehelet, szusszanás, rövid pihenő, fuvallat, légmozgás, szellő, leheletnyi, nyomnyi
NOUN
A2
1
Usage pattern:
to take [a] breath
She took a deep breath before starting her speech.
Mély lélegzetet vett, mielőtt elkezdte a beszédét.
His breath was visible in the cold air.
Látszott a lehelete a hideg levegőben.
After running up the hill, he was out of breath.
The doctor listened to her breath with a stethoscope.
He held his breath while swimming underwater.
Learner examples
I took a deep breath.
Mély lélegzetet vettem.
Her breath is warm.
Meleg a lehelete.
He held his breath.
I can see my breath in winter.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'breath' (noun) with 'breathe' (verb). Remember: 'breath' is the air, 'breathe' is the action.
Meaning
Air in or out of lungs
Collocations
deep breath
|hold breath
|shortness of breath
|catch one's breath
|gasp for breath
Synonyms
inhalation (More formal and technical, referring specifically to air intake.)
|
exhalation (Refers specifically to air being let out of the lungs.)
Antonyms
breathlessness (The state of being unable to breathe easily.)
Themes
daily life
|health
|human body
|body
Definition
The air you take in or let out when you breathe.
The air that is taken into or expelled from the lungs during breathing.
NOUN
B1
2
szusszanás
B1
rövid pihenő
A2
Usage pattern:
to pause for [a] breath
She paused for a breath before continuing the story.
Tartott egy szusszanásnyi szünetet, mielőtt folytatta a történetet.
Let’s stop for a breath before we climb higher.
Álljunk meg egy szusszanásra, mielőtt feljebb mászunk.
He didn’t take a breath between sentences.
Learner examples
I stopped for a breath.
Megálltam egy szusszanásra.
She took a breath before speaking.
Vett egy levegőt, mielőtt megszólalt.
He paused for a breath.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with 'break' in general contexts; here it specifically relates to breathing.
Meaning
Short break to breathe or rest
Collocations
pause for breath
|stop for breath
|catch one's breath
Synonyms
break (More general; not limited to breathing.)
Antonyms
continuous effort (Doing something without stopping to rest or breathe.)
Themes
daily life
|sports
|daily_life
|health
Definition
A short stop to get air or rest.
A brief pause to breathe or recover, often during physical activity or speech.
NOUN
B2
3
A breath of wind moved the curtains.
Egy fuvallat megmozdította a függönyöket.
There wasn’t even a breath of air in the room.
Még egy leheletnyi légmozgás sem volt a szobában.
I felt a faint breath on my cheek.
Learner examples
I felt a breath of wind.
Éreztem egy fuvallatot.
The room had no breath of air.
A szobában egy leheletnyi légmozgás sem volt.
A breath moved the leaves.
Meaning
Very light wind or air movement
Collocations
a breath of wind
|a breath of air
Synonyms
breeze (Slightly stronger and more sustained than 'breath' of air.)
Antonyms
stillness (The complete absence of wind or air movement.)
Themes
nature
|weather
Definition
A very small and soft movement of air.
A very light current of air.
NOUN
B2
4
leheletnyi
B2
nyomnyi
B2
There was a breath of perfume in the air.
Egy leheletnyi parfümillat volt a levegőben.
A breath of excitement ran through the crowd.
Egy leheletnyi izgalom futott végig a tömegen.
He spoke without a breath of doubt.
Learner examples
I smell a breath of perfume.
Egy leheletnyi parfümillatot érzek.
There is a breath of smoke.
Egy leheletnyi füst van.
She has a breath of fear in her voice.
Meaning
Very small amount of something
Collocations
a breath of perfume
|a breath of scandal
Synonyms
hint (Commonly used for small amounts, especially of qualities or smells.)
Antonyms
flood (A large amount, opposite to a tiny trace.)
Themes
descriptions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A very small amount of something you can just notice.
A trace or hint of something, often barely noticeable.
Grammar
Dictionary form
breath
IPA
GB/bɹˈɛθ/
US/bɹˈɛθ/
Syllables & stress
breath (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (breath)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: breath
- Plural: breath, breaths
Word family
Forms
breaths
noun
Core family
breathe
verb A1
Related words
breathing
noun
breathable
adjective
breather
noun
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
breathtaking
adjective B2
breathtakingly
adverb
Expressions
catch one's breath
1/kˈæt͡ʃ wˈʌnz bɹˈɛθ/
idiom
Pause to recover normal breathing
To stop for a short time so you can breathe normally again.
Examples
- He stopped to catch his breath after the sprint.
- Give me a moment to catch my breath before we start again.
hold one's breath
1/hˈoʊld wˈʌnz bɹˈɛθ/
idiom
Stop breathing for a short time on purpose
To not breathe for a short time on purpose, often while waiting or underwater.
Examples
- She held her breath as she went underwater.
- We held our breaths as we waited for the result.
out of breath
1/ˈaʊt əv bɹˈɛθ/
fixed phrase
Unable to breathe easily after activity
Not able to breathe easily because you have been running or doing hard work.
Examples
- She was out of breath after running up the stairs.
- I get out of breath easily when hiking.
take a deep breath
1/tˈeɪk ə dˈip bɹˈɛθ/
fixed phrase
Inhale deeply once
To breathe in fully and deeply one time, often before starting something difficult.
Examples
- Take a deep breath and try again.
- He took a deep breath before answering.
under one's breath
1/ˈʌndɚ wˈʌnz bɹˈɛθ/
idiom
Speak very quietly so others can't hear well
To speak so quietly that people near you cannot hear clearly.
Examples
- He muttered something under his breath.
- She swore under her breath when she saw the bill.