wheeze

[ weez, hweez ]

verb (used without object)

, wheezed, wheez·ing.

1. to breathe with difficulty and with a whistling sound:

   Asthma caused him to wheeze.

2. to make a sound resembling difficult breathing:

   The old locomotive wheezed into the station.

noun

1. a wheezing breath or sound.
2. an old and frequently used joke, saying, story, etc.

wheeze

/ wiːz /

verb

1. to breathe or utter (something) with a rasping or whistling sound
2. intr to make or move with a noise suggestive of wheezy breathing

noun

1. a husky, rasping, or whistling sound or breathing
2. slang.
   a trick, idea, or plan (esp in the phrase good wheeze )
3. informal.
   a hackneyed joke or anecdote

Derived Forms

• ˈwheezer, noun
• ˈwheezy, adjective
• ˈwheezily, adverb
• ˈwheeziness, noun

Other Words From

• wheez·er noun
• wheez·ing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of wheeze¹

1425–75; late Middle English whese (v.), probably < Old Norse hvæsa to hiss

Word History and Origins

Origin of wheeze¹

C15: probably from Old Norse hvǣsa to hiss

Example Sentences

The tram cars rattle and wheeze, having not been updated in years.

From BBC

But then the messages became more sinister - calling her a "scumbag" and promising to find her "wherever she walks her wheezing dog".

From BBC

By then, the eyes of the world will be focused on the U.S., where a far different presidential campaign will be wheezing to its end.

From Los Angeles Times

But three days into a string of seven-hour rehearsals, her voice collapsed, the high notes so long her hallmark dissolving into a pitchy wheeze.

From New York Times

He swayed back and forth in a rocking motion and made a whistling howl, like that last, dying wheeze of a damp log in a fire.

From Literature

Related Words

• cough
• gasp
• hiss
• puff
• snore