Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

break wind

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: 4.68 in modern English

Syllables: break wind
IPA

19

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

1

Syllables

9

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To expel gases generated during digestion, especially through the anus; to fart.

Example Sentences

"I broke wind and excused myself afterwards."
"I asked him to lower my blind, but he took one look and huffed, “Can’t reach that!” I gave him a frosty “That will be all, then,” instead of a tip. He broke wind as he left, poisonously."

Etymology

First attested 1552. From break + wind (“flatulence”). Compare Saterland Frisian wiendje (“to break wind”).

Inflected Forms

breaks wind (present, singular) breaking wind (participle, present) broke wind (past) broken wind (participle, past)

Phrases

break wind backwards break wind upwards

Frequently Paired Words

break wind backwards break wind upwards burp

Synonyms

let off let one rip break ass pass gas pass wind cut the cheese fart flatulate toot guff

Questions

What does break wind mean?: To expel gases generated during digestion, especially through the anus; to fart.
Where does break wind come from?: First attested 1552. From break + wind (“flatulence”). Compare Saterland Frisian wiendje (“to break wind”).

How to pronounce break wind

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “break wind”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
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