gasp

/ɡɑːsp/ (bre, ipa) · /ɡæsp/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈgasp/ (ame, mw)

gasp — verb

  • gasppresent simple I / you / we / they
  • gaspshe / she / it
  • gaspedpast simple
  • gasping-ing form

1. to quickly draw air into your mouth with a short, sharp breath, usually because

1.動詞不及物B1
釋義

to quickly draw air into your mouth with a short, sharp breath, usually because something has surprised, shocked, or hurt you

例句

Hyun gasped and jumped back when a huge spider suddenly appeared on his desk.

gasped + and + verb (consecutive reactions to shock)

The audience gasped as the performer slipped and hung from the tightrope.

同義詞
  • catch one's breath

    implies a pause to breathe after shock or exertion, less dramatic than gasp

  • draw in one's breath

    more formal and often implies a sharp intake indicating disapproval or concern

文法句型

gasp + (in/with + emotion noun)

gasp + and + verb

常見錯誤

❌I gasped for air when I saw the spider.
✅I gasped when I saw the spider.
💡'gasp for air' belongs to sense 2 (difficulty breathing), not the sudden-reaction sense.

2. to breathe with great effort and a loud or rough sound, because your body is str

2.動詞不及物B1
釋義

to breathe with great effort and a loud or rough sound, because your body is struggling to get enough air

例句

After running up five flights of stairs, Stefan was gasping for air.

be gasping for + air

The children found the lost dog gasping under the old wooden porch.

同義詞
  • pant

    quicker, shallower breaths, often after exercise; less dramatic than gasp

  • puff

    short, rapid breaths, often with puffed cheeks; less intense

  • wheeze

    breathing with a whistling sound, typically due to asthma or illness

文法句型

gasp + for + noun

be gasping + adverb

gasp + and + verb

用法筆記

Often followed by 'for' to specify what the body needs, most commonly 'for air' or 'for breath.' Unlike sense 1, this sense describes ongoing laboured breathing rather than a single sharp intake.

常見錯誤

❌After the race, he gasped from exhaustion.
✅After the race, he panted from exhaustion.
💡For sustained heavy breathing after exercise, 'pant' is the more natural choice; 'gasp' suits a shorter, more dramatic struggle for air.

gasp — noun