breathable

[ bree-thuh-buhl ]

adjective

1. able or fit to be breathed: breathe:

   filters to make the air more breathable.

2. allowing the passage of air and moisture:

   a breathable fabric.

breathable

/ ˈbriːðəbəl /

adjective

1. (of air) fit to be breathed
2. (of a material) allowing air to pass through so that perspiration can evaporate

Other Words From

• breatha·bili·ty breatha·ble·ness noun
• un·breatha·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of breathable¹

First recorded in 1725–35; breathe + -able

Example Sentences

It is more breathable but is often installed where a highly-resistant underlay like bitumen felt is already present, stopping vapour from escaping.

From BBC

It’s made from breathable, water-resistant fabric and has ventilation zippers to keep you cool.

From Los Angeles Times

The hoodie offers UPF 20+ sun protection and has a jersey-like breathable fabric.

From Los Angeles Times

At the hotel, I dumped sand out of my trail runners, washed my light running shirt, waterproof sun shirt, hiking shorts and breathable socks in the sink and hung them out to dry on my hotel balcony.

From Los Angeles Times

The first colonists would encounter a barren landscape without water or breathable atmosphere, bathed in deadly solar and galactic radiation from which Earthbound humans are protected by our planet’s atmosphere and magnetic field.

From Los Angeles Times