gasp

[ gasp, gahsp ]

noun

1. a sudden, short intake of breath, as in shock or surprise.
2. a convulsive effort to breathe.
3. a short, convulsive utterance:

   the words came out in gasps.

verb (used without object)

1. to catch one's breath.

   Synonyms: blow, puff

2. to struggle for breath with the mouth open; breathe convulsively.

   Synonyms: blow, puff

3. to long with breathless eagerness; desire; crave (usually followed by for or after ).

verb (used with object)

1. to utter with gasps (often followed by out, forth, away, etc.):

   She gasped out the words.

2. to breathe or emit with gasps (often followed by away ).

gasp

/ ɡɑːsp /

verb

1. intr to draw in the breath sharply, convulsively, or with effort, esp in expressing awe, horror, etc
2. intr; foll by after or for to crave
3. troften foll byout to utter or emit breathlessly

noun

1. a short convulsive intake of breath
2. a short convulsive burst of speech
3. at the last gasp
   1. at the point of death
   2. at the last moment

Derived Forms

• ˈgaspingly, adverb

Other Words From

• gasping·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of gasp¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English gaspen, probably Old English *gāspen, equivalent to Old Norse geispa; akin to gape

Word History and Origins

Origin of gasp¹

C14: from Old Norse geispa to yawn; related to Swedish dialect gispa, Danish gispe

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. last gasp, the point of death; dying:

   At his last gasp he confessed to the murder.

More idioms and phrases containing gasp

see last gasp .

Synonym Study

See pant ¹.

Example Sentences

The lawyer's combative and sometimes aggressive tone elicited gasps from the public and the media inside the courtroom, and several people shook their heads in disbelief.

From BBC

Meanwhile, Delhi's residents continue to gasp for air.

From BBC

And on Sunday afternoon, instead of receiving the good news that Johnson and Co. might have expected, the luck of the draw left Sparks representative Rickea Jackson gasping in disbelief instead of cheering in glee.

From Los Angeles Times

Gabriela entered the United States more than two decades ago, gasping for breath under a pile of corn stalks in the boot of a smuggler's car.

From BBC

The ringside doctor took a look at Serrano after another clash of heads in the fifth, as the crowd gasped at the close-up on the big screen.

From BBC

Related Words

• exclamation
• whoop