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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 notes

In 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

Word forms

more breathless comparative, most breathless superlative

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She was _____ after sprinting up the stairs.

Etymology

From breath + the suffix -less ("without").

dyspneic dyspneal dyspnoeic dyspnoeal

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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