What does breeze mean?
A breeze is a light, gentle wind — softer than a gust and far milder than a gale — typically pleasant enough to be welcomed rather than endured. The word also carries a common figurative sense: when we say a task was a breeze, we mean it was remarkably easy, requiring little effort. In informal American English, to "shoot the breeze" means to engage in relaxed, idle conversation, extending the word's association with effortless ease into social life. The adjective form "breezy" can describe weather that is pleasantly windy, or — by extension — a person or manner that is cheerful, casual, and unstressed. Connotations of the word are almost entirely positive: freshness, comfort, and freedom from strain. Whether describing air moving through open windows on a warm day or an exam passed without difficulty, breeze evokes effortlessness and mildness, which makes it both precise and vivid in everyday English.
A light, gentle wind.
"A soft breeze stirred the curtains as the sun went down."
(Informal) Something that is very easy to accomplish.
"After all that preparation, the interview was a breeze."
Informal; common in everyday speech and casual writing.
(Informal) Relaxed, casual conversation.
"They sat on the porch shooting the breeze until midnight."
Usually appears in the fixed phrase "shoot the breeze"; chiefly North American.
(Informal) To proceed in a casual, unhurried, or confident manner, often as if nothing requires effort.
"She breezed through her finals without breaking a sweat."
Usually followed by "through," "into," or "along."
Regular plural; used both literally for multiple light winds and occasionally figuratively for easy tasks.
"Cool evening breezes made the summer heat bearable."
The word "breeze" once meant something far less pleasant — it originally referred to a fierce storm blowing off the Spanish coast before softening over time into today's gentle wind.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of breeze
Breeze entered English in the mid-sixteenth century, borrowed from Spanish "brisa" (or possibly directly from Old Spanish), originally denoting a northeast wind that blew across the Caribbean and Spanish coasts. Early uses could describe quite strong winds, and the word gradually narrowed to its modern sense of a light, mild wind. The figurative sense of "something easy" developed much later, in nineteenth-century America. The adjective "breezy" and related forms derive directly from the noun.
Word family
Usage notes
As a noun, "breeze" is neutral in register. The figurative sense meaning 'something easy' is informal but widely used in speech and casual writing. The phrase "shoot the breeze" is informal American slang for relaxed, aimless chatting.
Don't confuse with
"Breeze" is the correct English spelling; "briese" is not a standard English word.
"Breathe"/"breath" refer to air drawn into or expelled from the lungs, while "breeze" is an outdoor wind.