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Glite Dictionary
baby's breath

baby's breath

4.8
A tall plant with thin stems and many small white or pink flowers used in bouquets
  • noun
  • /ˈbeɪbiz brɛθ/
translation icon : flor de cuna
  • The florist added baby's breath to the bouquet for a soft, delicate touch.

Examples

  • She planted baby's breath in her garden for its airy, cloud-like blossoms.

  • I love the delicate look of baby's breath in bouquets.

  • Many wedding centerpieces feature baby's breath mixed with roses.

  • My favorite flower is baby's breath because it adds elegance.

  • The florist arranged stunning bouquets with delicate baby's breath for the wedding.

  • I love the way baby's breath adds elegance to floral arrangements with its tiny white blooms.

  • She chose a centerpiece featuring baby's breath and roses for her birthday party.

Synonyms

babies'-breath
vsbaby's breath
2 6.9

A tall plant with many small white or pink flowers used in flower arrangements

is the common name form differing only by spelling or punctuation
Gypsophila paniculata
vsbaby's breath
  • Specialized
9.9

A tall plant with many small white or pink flowers used in flower arrangements

is the general garden term for similar tall plants used in arrangements
infant's-breath
vsbaby's breath
8.3

A small plant with many tiny white flowers used in flower arrangements

is the usual name used broadly in arrangements rather than regional origin
Gypsophila
vsbaby's breath
  • Specialized
9.9

A small garden plant with many tiny white or pink flowers

is the narrow garden term for the species used in arrangements

Surface Forms

baby's breath singular
baby's breaths plural

Morphology

baby's + breath

The compound 'baby's breath' denotes a specific flower and does not refer to the literal 'breath' of a baby, so its meaning cannot be derived from the constituent words 'baby' and 'breath'. This is a lexicalized plant name used in floristry, and a B1 learner who knows the individual words but has not encountered the term would not predict the plant meaning, making it opaque.

Etymology

Baby's breath gets its name from the plant's very small, cloud-like flowers that look like a baby's soft breath. That's why florists use it as a light, delicate 'filler' in bouquets and decorations.