hyperventilate

American  

[hahy-per-ven-tl-eyt] / ˌhaɪ pərˈvɛn tlˌeɪt /

verb (used without object)

hyperventilated, hyperventilating

1. to be afflicted with hyperventilation; breathe abnormally fast and deep.

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verb (used with object)

hyperventilated, hyperventilating

1. to cause (a patient) to breathe more rapidly and deeply than normal.

hyperventilate British  

/ ˌhaɪpəˈvɛntɪleɪt /

verb

1. (intr) to breathe in an abnormally deep, long, and rapid manner, sometimes resulting in cramp and dizziness

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Etymology

Origin of hyperventilate

First recorded in 1930–35; back formation from hyperventilation

Example Sentences

Charlotte advises me to breathe deeply and try not to hyperventilate.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 7, 2025

The game experience at the Duchess was filled with anxious chatter interrupted by loud bursts of joy when the Huskies scored, with the fourth quarter providing tension enough to make Husky fans everywhere hyperventilate.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 1, 2024

People may also hyperventilate, sweat, experience chest tightness or sweat profusely.

From Salon • Oct. 21, 2023

And they speak darkly of “helmet horrors” when they hyperventilate and feel close to suffocation.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 10, 2023

When out is used as a verb, I start to hyperventilate.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris