asthmatic

American  

[az-mat-ik, as-] / æzˈmæt ɪk, æs- /

adjective

1. having or experiencing asthma.

2. relating to asthma.

   an asthmatic cough.

3. suggestive of the wheezing or whistling sound symptomatic of asthma.

   We'll be listening for the telltales signs of imminent disaster: the last, asthmatic gasps from our geriatric central heating boiler.

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noun

1. a person with asthma.

asthmatic British  

/ æsˈmætɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or having asthma

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noun

1. a person who has asthma

Usage

Rather than talking about an asthmatic or asthmatics , it is better to talk about a person with asthma , people with asthma

Other Word Forms

• antiasthmatic adjective
• asthmatically adverb
• nonasthmatic adjective
• nonasthmatically adverb
• postasthmatic adjective
• unasthmatic adjective

Etymology

Origin of asthmatic

First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin asthmaticus, from Greek asthmatikós, equivalent to asthmat- (stem of ásthma ) asthma + -ikos -ic

Explanation

An asthmatic is someone who has asthma. Asthmatic can also describe a whistling, wheezy sound or voice. Even if you don’t have asthma, don’t try to sneak up on people if your breathing is asthmatic because they’ll hear you coming! Asthma is a respiratory condition that causes breathing problems. An asthmatic is someone with asthma, but the word is also used to describe things related to asthma. An inhaler — which helps an asthmatic breathe — could be called asthmatic medicine. An asthmatic attack is a severe lack of breath. You can also say someone sounds asthmatic if they have a breathy, wheezing voice. Anyone who is out of breath sounds a little asthmatic.

Example Sentences

“I’m an anxious, asthmatic, ADHD, gay, diabetic Jew,” he shrieks, repeating the list so that the audience can register the gravity of the situation.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 4, 2024

She was anorexic, asthmatic, immunocompromised, and uncoordinated, and her prescription medication was ineffective.

From Salon • Jun. 5, 2024

An asthmatic boy without an inhaler was wheezing in the acrid smoke from brush and trash fires, which had been lit for warmth.

From New York Times • Mar. 28, 2024

The nerve hyperreactivity could explain why children who get RSV are later more likely to have asthmatic symptoms, Piedimonte said.

From Science Daily • Jan. 9, 2024

She hears the German climb three or four more stairs and take a brief asthmatic pause.

From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr