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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Breathe: Meaning, Usage, and Examples (3 meaning)

Meaning 1：inhale and exhale (breathe)

breathe 🔊

/briːð/

To take air into your lungs and let it out.

Person breathing deeply with chest rising

inhale and exhale 🔊

➕

/ɪnˈheɪl ænd ɪɡˈzeɪl/

To inhale air into the lungs and then expel it, the basic act of respiration.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：elementary

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English 'brēþan', related to 'breath', meaning to exhale or inhale.

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine 'breathe' as 'be' + 'reathe'—just be and let air flow in and out naturally.

📖 Example

After running to catch the bus, she had to stop and breathe deeply for a moment. 🔊 After running to catch the bus, she had to stop and breathe deeply for a moment.

🔗 Collocations

breathe deeply – to take a long, slow breath into the lungs

breathe in – to inhale air

breathe out – to exhale air

🔄 Synonyms

inhale (v.) – to draw air into the lungs

exhale (v.) – to expel air from the lungs

respire (v.) – to engage in the process of breathing

🚫 Antonyms

hold one's breath (phrase) – to intentionally stop breathing

suffocate (v.) – to prevent from breathing

choke (v.) – to obstruct the airway, hindering breathing

🌱 Derivatives

breath (n.) – the air taken into or expelled from the lungs

breathing (n.) – the act of inhaling and exhaling

breather (n.) – a short pause for rest or to catch one's breath

📖 Cultural Story

Originating from Old English 'brēþan', 'breathe' has been central to life metaphors. In modern culture, it is used in mindfulness practices like 'take a deep breath'. No mythical origin.

Meaning 2：be alive (breathe)

breathe 🔊

/briːð/

To be alive or to exist; often used figuratively.

be alive 🔊

➕

/biː əˈlaɪv/

To be living or to manifest the quality of being alive, often used figuratively.

📁 Category：Culture & History 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

This old house may look quiet, but with the family inside, it still breathes with life. 🔊 This old house may look quiet, but with the family inside, it still breathes with life.

🔗 Collocations

breathe life into – to make something more lively or interesting

breathe easily – to feel relieved after a stressful situation

breathe new life – to revitalize or rejuvenate something

🔄 Synonyms

live (v.) – to be alive

exist (v.) – to have objective reality

survive (v.) – to continue to live or exist

🚫 Antonyms

die (v.) – to cease living

perish (v.) – to die or be destroyed

expire (v.) – to come to an end; to die

🌱 Derivatives

breath (n.) – a sign of life; the air taken in

breathing (n.) – the process of taking in and expelling air

breather (n.) – a short rest or break

Meaning 3：air out (breathe)

breathe 🔊

/briːð/

To let air pass through something, so it doesn't get stuffy.

air out 🔊

➕

/ɛər aʊt/

To allow air to circulate through a fabric or material, preventing it from becoming stale or damp.

📁 Category：Objects & Materials 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

It's a good idea to breathe your wool sweater after wearing it, instead of putting it directly in the closet. 🔊 It's a good idea to breathe your wool sweater after wearing it, instead of putting it directly in the closet.

🔗 Collocations

breathe a garment – to let air circulate through a piece of clothing

let the fabric breathe – to allow the material to be exposed to air

air something out – to expose something to fresh air to remove odors or moisture

🔄 Synonyms

ventilate (v.) – to cause air to circulate freely through a space or material

aerate (v.) – to introduce air into a substance

air (v.) – to expose to the air for drying or freshening

🚫 Antonyms

seal (v.) – to close tightly, preventing air passage

smother (v.) – to cover so as to cut off air

stifle (v.) – to make something feel suffocated or unventilated

🌱 Derivatives

breathable (adj.) – allowing air to pass through

breathing (adj.) – relating to the process of air circulation

breather (n.) – a small opening that allows air to pass