wheeze

[ weez, hweez ]

verb (used without object)

wheezed, wheezing.

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 Word Forms

• 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

At times, she feels tightness in her chest, and experiences a fit of coughing and wheezing.

From Los Angeles Times

Asthma can cause wheezing, breathlessness, a tight chest and coughing.

From BBC

Children, the elderly and people with respiratory or heart conditions, or anyone with compromised immune systems, may experience more severe effects such as difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing, fatigue and chest pain.

From Los Angeles Times

You should call your doctor or go to urgent care if you experience severe shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, chest pain, palpitations, nausea or unusual fatigue, and call 911 if the symptoms are life-threatening.

From Los Angeles Times

And because they breathe much faster than adults, they are taking in more toxic particulate matter relative to their tiny bodies, which can trigger inflammation, coughing and wheezing.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cough
• gasp
• hiss
• puff
• snore