noun
Uncommon
asthma
ASMUH
Asthma (noun) means a chronic condition in which the airways narrow and swell, causing wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath, often triggered by allergens, cold air, or exercise. Example: “Her asthma flares up whenever pollen counts are high.”
noun
1
A chronic condition in which the airways narrow and swell, causing wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath, often triggered by allergens, cold air, or exercise.
"Twiggs was in a wheelchair during her appearance and suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma and diabetes, according to her sister, Anna Twiggs."
— Chuck Johnston, Judge not allowed back to court after berating woman who died (2018)
"Her asthma flares up whenever pollen counts are high."
"He carries an inhaler in case his asthma acts up during a run."
""He kind of spat," said Piggy. "My auntie wouldn't let me blow on account of my asthma. He said you blew from down here." Piggy laid a hand on his jutting abdomen."
— William Golding, Lord of the Flies (1954)
"Doctors advised him to avoid smoky rooms because of his asthma."
How to use asthma
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA lung condition that makes breathing difficult, especially when triggered by things like allergens or exercise.
Common pairings
asthma attack
suffer from asthma
asthma inhaler
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Word forms
- Plural
- asthmas, asthmata
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Her _____ flares up whenever pollen counts are high.
Etymology
From Greek âsthma, "hard breathing." The silent "th" spelling was added in the 1500s to match the Greek original.
Class of 1500
asthma joined the language around 1500.
See the full Class of 1500 →
Synonyms
View more →
asthma attack
bronchial asthma
Frequently asked questions
What does “asthma” mean?
The word “asthma” means a chronic condition in which the airways narrow and swell, causing wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath, often triggered by allergens, cold air, or exercise. In plain terms, a lung condition that makes breathing difficult, especially when triggered by things like allergens or exercise.
How do you pronounce “asthma”?
“Asthma” is pronounced ASMUH (/ˈæzmə/ in IPA).
How do you use “asthma” in a sentence?
Here is “asthma” used in a sentence: “Her asthma flares up whenever pollen counts are high.”
What part of speech is “asthma”?
“Asthma” is a noun.
Where does the word “asthma” come from?
The word “asthma” dates back to around 1500 and comes from Greek. From Greek âsthma, "hard breathing." The silent "th" spelling was added in the 1500s to match the Greek original.
Is “asthma” a common word?
“Asthma” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What triggers asthma symptoms?
Asthma symptoms are often triggered by allergens, cold air, or exercise, which cause the airways to narrow and swell. This leads to wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath.
What is the difference between asthma and bronchitis?
Asthma is a chronic condition involving recurring narrowing and swelling of the airways, often triggered by specific factors like allergens or cold air. Bronchitis is typically an inflammation of the bronchial tubes usually caused by infection, and can be either short-term or chronic, whereas asthma is a long-term, recurring condition.
Can exercise cause asthma symptoms?
Yes, exercise is a recognised trigger for asthma, alongside allergens and cold air, and can bring on wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath in people with the condition.
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