adj
B1
Intermediate
breathless
BREHTH-luhs
Breathless (adj) means Unable to breathe easily, especially from exertion. Example: “She was breathless after sprinting up the stairs.”
adj
1
Unable to breathe easily, especially from exertion.
"She was breathless after sprinting up the stairs."
2
Filled with excitement or suspense, as if holding one's breath.
"The crowd watched in breathless anticipation."
3
Completely still, with no wind at all.
"It was a breathless summer evening, not a leaf stirring."
How to use breathless
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOut of breath from effort, or figuratively caught up in excitement, or (less commonly) describing perfectly still air.
Common pairings
breathless anticipation
left breathless
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more breathless
- Superlative
- most breathless
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She was _____ after sprinting up the stairs.
Etymology
From breath + the suffix -less ("without").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “breathless” mean?
The word “breathless” means unable to breathe easily, especially from exertion. In plain terms, out of breath from effort, or figuratively caught up in excitement, or (less commonly) describing perfectly still air.
How do you pronounce “breathless”?
“Breathless” is pronounced BREHTH-luhs (/ˈbɹɛθləs/ in IPA).
How do you use “breathless” in a sentence?
Here is “breathless” used in a sentence: “She was breathless after sprinting up the stairs.”
What part of speech is “breathless”?
“Breathless” is an adjective.
How many meanings does “breathless” have?
“Breathless” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: unable to breathe easily, especially from exertion.
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