Breather
/ˈbriːðər/
nounBeginner📊CommonAction
1 meaning1 question
Definitions
1
A pause to rest and recover one's breath.
/ˈbriːðər/
nounneutralBeginner
Action
A short period of rest or relaxation.
I need a breather before I continue working.
💡 Simply: A short rest.
More Examples
2
Let's take a breather and have some coffee.
How It's Used
Everyday Life
"After a long day, I need a breather."
Sports
"The runner took a breather before sprinting to the finish line."
From Middle English *brether, from Old English brēþ, meaning 'breath'. The -er suffix indicates an agent or instrument.
The word's usage has remained consistent throughout its history, referring to a short rest.
Memory tip
Think of it as taking a break to 're-breathe'.
Word Origin
LanguageOld English
Original meaning
"breath"
Base: breathe
take a breatherneed a breather
Common misspellings
breather
Practice
Usage
60%Spoken
40%Written