Meaning & use
baby's breath
Last updated
Meanings
noununcountable
a plant with many tiny white or pink flowers, often used in bouquets to fill space around larger flowers
Grammar: No plural and no article: say 'a bunch of baby's breath', not 'a baby's breath'.
Patterns
- a sprig of baby's breath
- baby's breath in a bouquet
The florist added sprigs of baby's breath between the roses.
Baby's breath looks delicate but is actually quite hardy in a vase.
She wore a crown of baby's breath and daisies in her hair.
noununcountableliterary
the scent of a baby's mouth, often described as sweet and milky
Grammar: Used mainly in literary or affectionate writing; not a scientific term.
Patterns
- the baby's breath
He leaned over the crib and smelled the baby's breath, warm and sweet.
The poem describes the baby's breath as smelling of milk and honey.
Common combinations
- a sprig of baby's breath
- She tucked a sprig of baby's breath into the buttonhole.
- baby's breath and roses
- The bridal bouquet was baby's breath and roses.
- delicate baby's breath
- The delicate baby's breath made the arrangement look fuller.
- add baby's breath
- Add baby's breath to the vase to soften the colors.
- a cloud of baby's breath
- The table was decorated with a cloud of baby's breath.
- dried baby's breath
- Dried baby's breath keeps its shape for years.
Synonyms and how they differ
- gypsophila
- This is the scientific and florist's name for the same plant; baby's breath is the everyday term.
Commonly confused: baby's breath or baby breath?
baby's breath vs baby breath
The correct spelling has an apostrophe: baby's breath. Without it, the phrase looks like a misspelling.
Practice
Which sentence uses baby's breath correctly?
Choose one answer.
Baby's breath is uncountable, so 'some baby's breath' is correct. 'A baby's breath' and 'two baby's breaths' treat it as countable, which is wrong.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “baby's breath”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.