breasts

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "breasts" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in any age-appropriate context when referring to the mammary glands of the female body. For example: Women have two breasts situated on their chest.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Travel

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For NoMorePage3 campaigners, it was always about context – placed prominently in the newspaper, the images sent the message that the news about women was their breasts, and that they were passive decorations there to titillate man.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The Daily Mail clearly don't know who I am if they're writing a story about my breasts being exposed," said Palmer, pointing out that her "entire body had escaped" on stage in the past.

The Guardian

Patrons are 99% men ordering schooners and ordering themselves: don't look at their breasts, don't look at their breasts.

The Guardian - Sport

False breasts were banned from page 3 (at readers' request) in 1997, and the cheesier poses and wildly punning captions ("A lovely bit of rump and the topside's tasty too... MEAT luscious Laura Frankland – the first Page Three beauty who is also a qualified BUTCHER") were binned a year later.

The Guardian

It's not breasts that are the problem with Page 3. It's the attitudes to women that are promoted by presenting young women as sex objects in a current affairs publication.

The Guardian - Opinion

At every turn the campaign to get breasts off the breakfast table has faced opposition and derision.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some were angry that they were prevented from breastfeeding in public yet pictures of breasts were flaunted.

The Guardian - Opinion

Where Dunham's Horvath seems to exist, with all her hyper-neuroses and anxiety, in a world surrounded by her physical opposites without ever verbally acknowledging it, Lahiri goes the other way: she lands self-deprecating jokes about her weight, her lopsided breasts, her relationship with her nose-trimmer ("see you in 20 minutes") and her sweatiness (men's deodorant only, please).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It turns out sharing photos of a sugary drink between your breasts has nothing to do with raising awareness of cancer.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's no fun having everyone discussing your breasts, especially in relation to cancer.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some are women with real babies, some women with plastic breasts and plastic babies, and at least one a man.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing health or medical contexts, use the term "breasts" or "mammary glands" for clarity and precision. In informal settings, "boobs" or "tits" might be acceptable, but consider your audience.

Common error

While terms like "boobs" or "tits" are common in casual conversation, they can be offensive in professional or formal settings. Always consider the context and audience when choosing your words.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "breasts" is as a plural noun, referring to the mammary glands on the chest. As shown by Ludwig, this term is used in numerous contexts, ranging from medical discussions to casual conversations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Lifestyle

24%

Arts

12%

Less common in

Travel

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "breasts" is the plural form of "breast" and functions as a noun referring to mammary glands. According to Ludwig, the term is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, including news, lifestyle, and the arts. While predominantly neutral in register, the choice of using "breasts" versus slang terms like "boobs" should be carefully considered based on the formality of the setting. The phrase appears frequently in authoritative sources like The Guardian and The Economist, indicating its widespread acceptance and use. Ludwig also provides numerous examples to showcase the diverse contexts in which "breasts" is employed, aiding in its appropriate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mammary glands

Refers to the anatomical term for milk-producing glands in females.

bosoms

A literary and somewhat archaic term referring to a woman's chest.

mammary region

A clinical term referring to the area where the mammary glands are located.

busts

Refers to the measurement around a woman's chest.

pectoral region

An anatomical term referring to the chest area.

tits

A slang term for breasts, often considered vulgar.

boobs

An informal term for breasts.

chest

A broader term referring to the upper part of the torso, encompassing the breasts.

upper torso

A more clinical and general term referring to the upper body.

front

A simpler term to indicate the forward-facing part of the upper body.

FAQs

How should I use "breasts" in a sentence?

You can use "breasts" to refer to the mammary glands of a female. For example, "She checks her "breasts" regularly for any abnormalities".

What's a more formal alternative to "breasts"?

In formal or medical contexts, you can use "mammary glands" as a more professional alternative to "breasts".

Are there any contexts where it's inappropriate to use the word "breasts"?

While "breasts" is a medically accurate term, using slang terms like "boobs" or "tits" might be inappropriate in professional or formal settings.

Which is the correct plural form: "breast" or "breasts"?

The correct plural form of "breast" is "breasts". Use it when referring to more than one mammary gland.