Breath vs Breathe
What's the difference?
The only difference is a single 'e' — but it changes the word from a thing into an action, and even changes how you say it.
Quick answer
Breath (no e, rhymes with "death") is the noun — the air itself. Breathe (with an e, rhymes with "seethe") is the verb — the action. Adding the 'e' turns the thing into the action.
Compared side by side
(noun) the air you take into and let out of your lungs.
- “Take a deep breath.”
- “I'm out of breath.”
- “She held her breath.”
(verb) to take air into and out of your lungs.
- “Breathe slowly and relax.”
- “It's hard to breathe up here.”
- “Just breathe.”
How to remember it
breathE has an E and is the action (to breathE). breath (no e) is the thing — a single breath.
Frequently asked
Do they sound different?
Yes. Breath has a short vowel and a soft "th," like "death." Breathe has a long vowel and a buzzing "th," like "seethe," plus that silent e.
Is this the same pattern as bath/bathe?
Exactly — bath (noun) and bathe (verb) work the same way. The silent 'e' lengthens the vowel and turns the noun into a verb: breath → breathe, bath → bathe.