gasp
[verb]
Synonyms:
- gulp, blow, catch one's breath, choke, pant, puff
[noun]
Synonyms:
- gulp, exclamation, pant, puff, sharp intake of breath

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English Thesaurus: breathe, sigh, pant, gasp, snore, ...

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

I. gasp¹ /ɡɑːsp $ ɡæsp/ verb
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old Norse; Origin: geispa 'to yawn']

1. [intransitive and transitive] to breathe in suddenly in a way that can be heard, especially because you are surprised or in pain
gasp in/with
Ollie gasped with pain and slumped forward.
gasp at
The audience gasped at the splendour of the costumes.
‘My leg!’ he gasped. ‘I think it’s broken!’

2. [intransitive] to breathe quickly in a way that can be heard because you are having difficulty breathing ⇒ pant
gasp for air/breath
Brendan climbed slowly, gasping for breath.

3. be gasping (for something) British English spoken to feel that you urgently need something such as a drink or cigarette:
I’m gasping for a pint!

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. gasp² noun [countable]

1. when you take in a breath suddenly in a way that can be heard, especially because you are surprised or in pain
gasp of
With a gasp of pure horror, Lewis jumped up and ran.
She gave a little gasp and clutched George’s hand.

2. when you breathe in air quickly because you are having difficulty breathing:
Her breath came in shallow gasps.

3. sb’s/sth’s last gasp the time when someone is about to die, or when something is about to stop happening or existing:
the last gasp of an industry in decline

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

gasp
noun
ADJ. big, great | little, short, small | quick, sharp, sudden | loud | low | audible | shocked | strangled | involuntary
VERB + GASP give, let out | stifle | bring The stunt brought shocked gasps from the audience.
hear | take (in) taking in great gasps of air
GASP + VERB escape sb
PREP. between ~s ‘Listen carefully,’ he said, between gasps of breath.
in ~s He leant against the railing, his breath coming in short gasps.
with a ~ She spun round with a little gasp of delight.
~ of
 ⇒ Note at SOUND

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

gasp
verb
ADV. almost | aloud | breathlessly
VERB + GASP make sb The cold made her gasp.
manage to ‘No!’ she managed to gasp.
PREP. at She gasped at his boldness.
in Denis almost gasped aloud in astonishment.
with gasping with pain
PHRASES gasp for air/breath, leave sb gasping Her breath went and left her gasping for air.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

breathe [intransitive and transitive] to take air into your lungs and send it out again:
Mary knew he was asleep because he was breathing deeply.
He breathed the clear spring air.
sigh to breathe out slowly and make a noise that shows you are disappointed, tired, relieved etc:
She just sighed and shook her head.
‘Never mind,’ he sighed. ‘I’m sure there’ll be other opportunities.’
pant to breathe quickly and noisily through your mouth, because you have been using a lot of effort:
They were panting by the time they got to the finish line.
gasp to breathe very quickly and deeply and with difficulty:
Her eyes were wide, and she was gasping for breath.
‘Do you think you can walk?’ ‘I’ll try to,’ he gasped.
snore to breathe noisily while you are sleeping:
I couldn’t sleep because my husband was snoring.
wheeze to breathe with difficulty, making a noise in your throat and chest, because you are ill:
His asthma was making him wheeze.
be out of breath to be unable to breathe easily, especially because you have been running or doing other exercise:
I was out of breath by the time we reached the top of the hill.
be short of breath to be unable to breathe easily, especially because you are unhealthy:
Because she was so overweight, she was often short of breath.
give/let out a sigh
She let out a sigh of disappointment.
heave a sigh (=to sigh loudly and deeply)
Uncle Walter heaved a sigh and slumped back in his chair.
breathe a sigh of relief
When he had left, Miranda breathed a sigh of relief.
a deep sigh
Jimmy gave a deep sigh and shrugged.
a long sigh
With a long sigh, she tried to shake off her sombre mood.
a huge/great/big sigh
She heaved a great sigh.
a heavy sigh (=a big sad sigh)
Finally, she turned away from the mirror with a heavy sigh.
a little/small sigh
Quinn let out a little sigh and closed the book.
a weary sigh
With a weary sigh, she rubbed a hand over her eyes.
an audible sigh (=a sigh that can be heard)
Tonight she breathed an audible sigh of relief as the show ended.
a collective sigh (=a sigh that many people give at the same time)
She heard a collective sigh of relief as she announced her acceptance.
a sigh of relief/exasperation/satisfaction etc
At last the girl stopped eating and sat back with a sigh of satisfaction.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲