Meaning of breathe In English

• 0 to move air into and out of the lungs:

  • It's so airless in here - I can hardly breathe.

  • The instructor told us to breathe in deeply and then breathe out slowly.

  • I'm sorry if I'm breathing (= blowing out air containing) garlic fumes all over you!

• 1 to say something very quietly:

  • "Here they come," he breathed.

• 2 If you allow wine to breathe, you open the bottle for a short time before you drink from it, in order to improve the wine's flavour.

• 3 to take air into the lungs and let it out again:

  • [ I ] He was so choked up with emotion that it was hard to breathe.

  • [ T ] It was great to be outside again and breathe the fresh air.