Short vowel or long vowel?
breath vs breathe
Meaning, pronunciation, and examples
Breath is the noun for the air you inhale or exhale. Breathe is the verb for taking air in and out. Their vowel and final TH sounds are both different.
American English
Hear the difference
Each term has female and male playback at natural speed. Listen without looking, then compare the recordings with the IPA.
Word 1
breath
noun
The air taken into or sent out of the lungs.
US pronunciation
/breθ/
UK IPA
/breθ/
Hear two natural voices
Word 2
breathe
verb
To take air into the lungs and send it out again.
US pronunciation
/briːð/
UK IPA
/briːð/
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Sound contrast
How to tell them apart
Breath uses the short E in “bed” and a quiet /θ/. Breathe uses the long EE in “see” and a vibrating /ð/. Keep your tongue lightly between your teeth for both endings.
Direct answer
What is the difference?
Use breath after words such as a, my, your, deep, or hold. Use breathe after a subject such as I, you, people, or fish. The final e in breathe changes the vowel and makes the TH voiced.
Listen in context
6 example sentences
Context makes meaning, grammar, and natural rhythm easier to understand. Every sentence has its own playback.
Examples with
breath
- Take a deep breath before you begin.
- I could see my breath in the cold air.
- She was out of breath after the climb.
Examples with
breathe
- Breathe slowly through your nose.
- Fish breathe through their gills.
- The medicine made it easier to breathe.
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