gasping

IPA/ɡɑːsp/
KK[ɡˈæspɪŋ]IPA/ɡæsp/

gasping — verb

  • gaspingpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • gaspings3rd person singular
  • gaspinging-ing form
  • gaspingedpast simple

1. to suddenly pull in a quick, audible breath because something surprises, frighte

1.verbintransitiveB2
Definition

to suddenly pull in a quick, audible breath because something surprises, frightens, or hurts you.

Example

Ilan gasped when the magician pulled a live rabbit from the empty hat.

gasp + when-clause for a sudden surprised reaction

The whole audience gasped in shock as the dancer slipped off the stage.

gasp in + emotion noun (shock, horror, amazement)

Common collocations
  • gasp in shock
  • gasp in horror
  • gasp in amazement
  • gasp at the sight
Synonyms
  • exclaim

    exclaim is the spoken reaction; gasp is just the breath

  • start

    start = jump from surprise; gasp = the breath that goes with it

Grammar Patterns

gasp

gasp at + noun

gasp in + emotion noun

Usage Note

Frequently followed by 'at' (the trigger) or 'in' + an emotion noun (shock, horror, amazement). Distinguish from sense 2: this is one quick involuntary breath, not ongoing labored breathing.

Common Mistakes

Christopher gasped for the news.
Christopher gasped at the news.
use 'at' for the thing that surprises you, not 'for'.

2. to breathe noisily and with effort because you cannot get enough air, for exampl

2.verbintransitiveB2
Definition

to breathe noisily and with effort because you cannot get enough air, for example after running hard or because of illness.

Example

Ishaan reached the top of the hill and stood gasping for breath.

collocation: gasp for breath (after exertion)

The old dog lay on the kitchen floor, gasping for air in the heat.

collocation: gasp for air

Common collocations
  • gasping for breath
  • gasping for air
  • leave someone gasping
Synonyms
  • pant

    pant emphasises the quick rhythm; gasp emphasises the effort and noise

  • wheeze

    wheeze is a whistling breath from illness; gasping is broader

Grammar Patterns

gasp for breath

gasp for air

Usage Note

Almost always followed by 'for breath' or 'for air'. Subject is usually a person or animal who has just exerted themselves, is hurt, or is struggling with smoke, water, or illness. Distinguish from sense 1: here the breathing is ongoing and labored, not one sharp intake.

Common Mistakes

Bao was gasping the air after the long run.
Bao was gasping for air after the long run.
you gasp FOR air, not gasp the air directly.

3. to say something in short broken words while struggling to breathe, usually beca

3.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to say something in short broken words while struggling to breathe, usually because of shock, pain, or exhaustion.

Example

"Call an ambulance," Defne gasped, pressing one hand against her chest.

gasp + direct speech for short urgent words

Jenna gasped out the address before she fainted on the sofa.

gasp out + the words said

Common collocations
  • gasp out the words
  • gasp her name
  • gasp a warning
Synonyms
  • splutter

    splutter mixes coughing with the words; gasp is just breathless

  • pant

    pant can also report breathless speech but is less dramatic than gasp

Grammar Patterns

gasp + direct speech

gasp + that-clause

gasp out + words

Usage Note

Almost always reports very short urgent speech — a name, a warning, a brief sentence — not long explanations. Often pairs with the particle 'out' (gasp out the words). Distinguish from sense 2: here the focus is on what the person said, not just on how they breathed.

Common Mistakes

Felipe gasped a long story about the accident.
Felipe gasped a few words about the accident.
gasping fits short urgent speech, not long narration.

gasping — noun

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/2

All four describe breathing with difficulty, but they differ in the cause and the sound. 'Gasp' suggests urgent breathing where the person clearly cannot get enough air — after a near-drowning, a sprint, or in a smoky room. 'Pant' describes quick, light, rhythmic breaths after exercise; it is what a dog does on a hot day, less dramatic than gasping. 'Wheeze' is a whistling, hissing sound that comes from blocked airways, typical of asthma, bronchitis, or heavy colds. 'Puff' is the mildest of the four and often slightly comic — someone who is unfit may puff up a single flight of stairs without real distress. If someone collapses by the roadside, they are gasping; if they jog up a hill, they are panting or puffing.

gasp ↗pant ↗wheeze ↗puff ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • gasp for breath
  • gasp for air
  • let out a gasp
  • a gasp of shock
  • one last gasp
  • at the last gasp

Prepositions

Etymology

Old NorseMiddle EnglishEnglish

From Middle English 'gaspen', borrowed from Old Norse 'geispa' meaning 'to yawn'. The word originally described any sharp opening of the mouth for breath, and over centuries narrowed to mean the urgent or laboured intake of air we use it for today. The noun 'gasp' developed from the verb in the late 1500s.