breather

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "breather" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to describe a short break from activity or a period of rest, relaxation, or relief. For example, "I needed a breather after a long day of work, so I decided to take a walk outside."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I might as well retire" was the early retort from Brownlee as he paused for a well-earned breather after high-fiving the waiting spectators who greeted his performance of 1hr 48min 50sec with the applause it deserved.

The Guardian - Sport

Thanks to his speech, I took the breather I needed to deal with Danny as he jumped from my imagination and into my novel.

The Guardian - Books

At this point, let's just take a breather – a sanity check if you will – because a lot of people get worried when they think about the possibility of their child hallucinating.

The Guardian

For those with hectic jobs, the skywalks offer a necessary break; I often find medical workers taking a breather on the Santacruz East skywalk (incidentally the most widely used route, according to the MMRDA).

The Guardian

The penalty won by Sam Warburton with six minutes to go was as much about filling time, giving everybody a breather, as about landing the three.

The Guardian - Sport

He appeared happy enough to take a breather and let his companion pass the collection hat around the knots of tourists using their iPhones and mobiles to take a snap beside the Molly Malone statue across the road from the walls of Trinity College.

The Guardian

We stopped for a breather and I stroked the dog who had been trotting at our heels.

The Guardian - Travel

But yesterday's 200km stage from Civitanova Marche to Forli – on paper a transitional day made for the sprinters, where the general classification favourites take a breather before the second act of the race hits them like a sledgehammer – was anything but an easy day in the saddle for Richie Porte.

The Guardian - Sport

Breath of Light (£2.40) Finally, something relaxing for Android gamers in need of a breather from all that rogueliking.

The Guardian - Tech

Queensland 4-10 NSW Take a breather, everyone!

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The flamboyant fire-breather will invest £5m ($7.6m) to buy the 78-year-old brand from the administrator, reopen up to 40 of the 189 shuttered stores and relaunch the emporium online.Mr Jones plays up the St George-like aspects of the deal.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing taking a "breather" in writing, consider adding details about the environment and feelings about this state. Add sensory details or descriptive verbs to improve the image of the break.

Common error

While "breather" is widely understood, it may sound too informal in highly professional or academic writing. Opt for more formal alternatives like "respite", "hiatus", or "intermission" to maintain a serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "breather" primarily functions as a noun, referring to a short period of rest or relief from activity. Ludwig AI's analysis of example sentences confirms its common usage in contexts where a pause is needed for recovery or a temporary respite from a demanding situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

2%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "breather" is a common noun that refers to a short break or pause for rest and relaxation. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in register, it can lean towards informal, so consider using more formal alternatives like "respite" or "hiatus" in professional or academic writing. To enhance your writing, use "breather" when you want to signal a need for rest or a temporary escape from stress. It's a versatile word that effectively conveys the idea of needing a moment to recover and recharge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

short break

Focuses on the brevity of the pause.

brief respite

Emphasizes the temporary relief provided.

quick pause

Highlights the action of stopping momentarily.

moment of rest

Stresses the relaxation aspect.

time out

Suggests a temporary suspension of activity.

pause for breath

Explicitly refers to catching one's breath.

interlude

Implies a period of calm between more intense events.

momentary lull

Highlights a temporary period of quiet or inactivity.

cooling-off period

Implies a period of reduced activity or intensity.

recess

Suggests a formal or scheduled break.

FAQs

How can I use "breather" in a sentence?

You can use "breather" to describe a short break or pause for rest. For example, "After the intense workout, I needed a /s/short+break" or "The team decided to take a /s/short+break to strategize".

What are some alternatives to "breather"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "respite", "pause", "interval", or "recess". For example, instead of "take a breather", you could say "take a /s/short+break" or "enjoy a /s/brief+respite".

Is it correct to say "give me a breather"?

Yes, it is correct. "Give me a breather" is an idiomatic expression that means to give someone a short break or some space. It's commonly used in informal contexts.

What's the difference between "breather" and "break"?

"Breather" specifically implies a short period to rest or recover, often from physical exertion or stress. "Break" is a more general term for any interruption or pause in activity. You might take a "break" from work to get coffee, but you'd take a "breather" after running up the stairs.