breathable
BREE-thuh-buhl
/ˈbriːðəbəl/
Allowing air and moisture vapor to pass through easily, preventing the buildup of sweat and heat.
Describes fabrics that balance protection from the elements with ventilation, keeping the wearer cool and dry.
The story behind the word. Formed by combining the Old English verb 'breathe' (originally meaning 'to smell' or 'to blow') with the suffix '-able.' In the mid-20th century, with the rise of synthetic outdoor gear, textile engineers began using 'breathable' to describe fabrics that allow sweat vapor to escape while keeping rain out.
Word relationships
- ventilated: Ventilated often implies the physical presence of holes, mesh panels, or vents to let air in, while breathable refers to the inherent property of the fabric fibers to let air and vapor pass through.
- impermeable: Impermeable materials do not allow any air, gas, or liquid to pass through, trapping heat and moisture completely.
Commonly confused with
- airy: Airy describes a spacious, light, or breezy feeling, whereas breathable is a technical property of a material allowing gas and vapor transmission.
Word family
- breathe (verb): To inhale and exhale air.
- breathability (noun): The state or quality of being breathable.
Collocations
- breathable fabric
- breathable mesh
- highly breathable
- breathable material
Example sentences
- "In hot and humid climates, it is essential to wear breathable clothing made of lightweight mesh to prevent overheating." Evaluating hot-weather workout gear.
Memory hook
Think of the fabric having tiny lungs that can 'breathe' in fresh air and exhale your body heat. Fabric that can breathe with you.
When not to use
Do not use to describe air-tight materials like solid rubber or heavy plastic that trap air and sweat completely.
Fun facts
- The invention of Gore-Tex in 1969 revolutionized outdoor gear by creating a membrane with billions of microscopic pores that are too small for water droplets to enter, but large enough for sweat vapor to escape, making it both waterproof and breathable.
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