breathed

American

[bretht, breethd] / brɛθt, briðd /

adjective

Phonetics.

not phonated; unvoiced; voiceless.
utilizing the breath exclusively in the production of a speech sound.

breathed British

/ briːðd, brɛθt /

adjective

phonetics relating to or denoting a speech sound for whose articulation the vocal cords are not made to vibrate Compare voiced

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of breathed

First recorded in 1875–80; breath + -ed ³

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

They breathed through their skin and pushed air into their lungs using movements of the mouth and throat.

From Science Daily • Apr. 23, 2026

Gehry’s designs breathed life into the city’s core, but he didn’t get to finish a number of his most exciting plans, including one to transform the 51-mile-long L.A.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

Bhosle's distinctive voice breathed life into countless film songs as actors lip-synced to her unforgettable tracks.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

Some in the Iranian capital feared the ceasefire will come to naught, but others declared victory and most breathed a sigh of relief after weeks of bombardment.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

It sat beside the river next to the mill, but the coolness of the Sogozha’s waters couldn’t make a dent in the stifling heat the forges inside breathed out.

From Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023