Phrase guide

breath of fresh air

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

Something relieving, refreshing, or new.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • After all those old policies and procedures, the new management approach is a breath of fresh air around here.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

a welcome relief

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the new management was like a breath of fresh air

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: easing, moderation, relief

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

12 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: raikas tuulahdus — something relieving, refreshing, or new
  • French: bouffée d'oxygène — something relieving, refreshing, or new
  • French: bouffée d'air frais — something relieving, refreshing, or new
  • Indonesian: angin segar — something relieving, refreshing, or new
  • Italian: boccata d'aria — something relieving, refreshing, or new
  • Korean: 청량제 (cheongnyangje) — something relieving, refreshing, or new
  • Polish: powiew świeżości — something relieving, refreshing, or new
  • Portuguese: lufada de ar fresco — something relieving, refreshing, or new
  • Romanian: gură de aer proaspăt — something relieving, refreshing, or new
  • Russian: глоток свежего воздуха (glotok sveževo vozduxa) — something relieving, refreshing, or new
  • Spanish: soplo de aire fresco — something relieving, refreshing, or new
  • Swedish: frisk fläkt — something relieving, refreshing, or new