breathable

B3R1E1A1T1H4A1B3L1E1
/ˈbɹiːðəbəl/

adjective

suitable for breathing

“breathable paint”

Opposite
Less commonScrabble 17

Meanings

adjectivebreathable (comparative more breathable, superlative most breathable)

comparative more breathable · superlative most breathable

  1. suitable for breathing
    1 more example

    The Wards are open-topped, with skyscrapers rising from the superstructure. Towers are sealed against vacuum, as the breathable atmosphere envelope is only maintained to a height of about seven meters. The atmosphere is contained by the centrifugal force of rotation and a "membrane" of dense, colorless sulphur hexafluoride gas, held in place by carefully managed mass effect fields.

    2008, BioWare, Mass Effect (Science Fiction), Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →ISBN, →OCLC, PC, scene: Citadel Station: Wards Codex entry

    Antonyms: unbreathable

  2. usuallyLetting air seep through.

    breathable paint

    1 more example

    If you’re looking for the most breathable mask, Lukovics says, “Cotton is preferable, mainly for absorbing moisture/sweat.” She says multiple layers may be more protective but will also impact breathability.

    2021 August 17, Elizabeth Wallace and Kai Burkhardt, “12 breathable face masks to protect you while exercising”, in CNN

Synonyms & antonyms

adjectivesuitable for breathing

Opposite

Origin

  1. Middle Englishbreeth
  2. Middle Englishbrethen
  3. Englishbreathe
  4. Englishbreathable

From breathe + -able.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Finnish hengitettävä
  • hengitettäväsuitable for breathing
French respirable
  • respirablesuitable for breathing
Latin spīrābilis
  • spīrābilissuitable for breathing
Portuguese respirável
  • respirávelsuitable for breathing
Spanish respirable, transpirable
  • respirablesuitable for breathing
  • transpirableletting air seep
Cite this entry
APA

breathable. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/breathable

MLA

“breathable.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/breathable. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “breathable,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/breathable.

Source: breathable on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.