to take air, oxygen, etc., into the lungs and expel it; inhale and exhale; respire.

(in speech) to control the outgoing breath in producing voice and speech sounds.

to pause, as for breath; take rest

How about giving me a chance to breathe?

to move gently or blow lightly, as air.

to live; exist

Hardly a man breathes who has not known great sorrow.

to be redolent of.

(of a material) to allow air and moisture to pass through easily

The jacket is comfortable because the fabric breathes.

(of the skin) to absorb oxygen and give off perspiration.

(of a wine) to be exposed to air after being uncorked, in order to develop flavor and bouquet.

to inhale and exhale in respiration.

to exhale

Dragons breathe fire.

to inject as if by breathing; infuse

She breathed life into the party.

to give utterance to; whisper.

to express; manifest.

to allow to rest or recover breath

to breathe a horse.

to deprive of breath; tire; exhaust.

to cause to pant; exercise. ?

breathe down someone's neck

to be close to someone in pursuit; menace; threaten

Police from four states were breathing down his neck.

to watch someone closely so as to supervise or control

If everyone keeps breathing down my neck, how can I get my work done?

breathe freely, to have relief from anxiety, tension

or pressure

Now that the crisis was over, he could breathe freely. Also, breathe easily, breathe easy.

breathe one's last

to die

He breathed his last and was buried in the churchyard.

not breathe a word or syllable

to maintain secrecy; keep a matter confidential

I'll tell you if you promise not to breathe a word.

verb

hide , secret

verb

draw in , exhale , expire , fan , gasp , gulp , inhale , insufflate , open the floodgates , pant , puff , respire , scent , sigh , sniff , snore , snort , use lungs , wheeze , imbue , impart , infuse , inject , instill , transfuse , articulate , confide , express , murmur , say , utter , voice , whisper , inspire , exist , live , subsist , aspirate , aspire , emanate , emit , inhale and exhale , speak , suspire