choke
chohk
Choke (verb) means to be unable to breathe because something is blocking the throat or windpipe. Example: “He started to choke on a piece of steak that went down the wrong way.”
verb
1
To be unable to breathe because something is blocking the throat or windpipe.
"He started to choke on a piece of steak that went down the wrong way."
"The smoke was so thick that people began to choke."
"The toddler began to choke on a grape, so her dad patted her back."
2
To squeeze someone's throat so they cannot breathe; to strangle.
"The attacker tried to choke his victim before being pulled away."
"In judo class, we learn how to escape when a partner tries to choke us."
"Instructors warn that a tight hold on the neck can choke a person quickly."
3
To perform badly under pressure at a crucial moment, especially when close to winning.
"The tennis player choked in the final set after leading the whole match."
"I always choke in interviews, even though I know the answers perfectly well."
"The striker choked in front of goal and sent the penalty miles over the bar."
noun
1
A valve that adjusts the fuel-air mixture in an engine, especially to help start it when cold.
"He pulled the choke to start the old lawnmower on a cold morning."
"If the engine will not start on a frosty morning, try using the choke."
"Remember to push the choke back in once the motor has warmed up."
How to use choke
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo be blocked from breathing, to strangle someone, or to fail badly under pressure.
Common mistake
"Choke" (sports slang) means to fail from nerves when winning was expected — not the same as simply losing.
Common pairings
choke on food
choke under pressure
pull the choke
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Word forms
- Plural
- chokes
- Third person singular
- chokes
- Past tense
- choked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He started to _____ on a piece of steak that went down the wrong way.
Etymology
From Old English āceocian ("to choke"), likely related to Old English ċēoce ("jaw, cheek").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for choke
See all rhymes for choke →Frequently asked questions
What does “choke” mean?
The word “choke” means to be unable to breathe because something is blocking the throat or windpipe. In plain terms, to be blocked from breathing, to strangle someone, or to fail badly under pressure.
How do you pronounce “choke”?
“Choke” is pronounced chohk (/t͡ʃoʊk/ in IPA).
How do you use “choke” in a sentence?
Here is “choke” used in a sentence: “He started to choke on a piece of steak that went down the wrong way.”
What part of speech is “choke”?
Depending on how it is used, “choke” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “choke” come from?
The word “choke” comes from Old English. From Old English āceocian ("to choke"), likely related to Old English ċēoce ("jaw, cheek").
Is “choke” a common word?
“Choke” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “choke” have?
“Choke” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to be unable to breathe because something is blocking the throat or windpipe.
What is the difference between choke and gag?
Choke describes being unable to breathe because the throat or windpipe is blocked, which can be a serious, sometimes life-threatening event. Gag is a milder, often reflexive reaction to something touching the back of the throat and does not necessarily involve a real blockage of the airway.
What does it mean to choke in sports or under pressure?
In this sense, choke means to perform badly at a crucial moment, especially when victory seems close, due to nerves or pressure. It is commonly used informally in sports commentary to describe a collapse in performance at a decisive point.
What is a choke on a car or engine?
A choke is a valve that adjusts the fuel-air mixture in an engine, particularly to help it start when cold. Older vehicles often had a manual choke control, though most modern engines now handle this automatically.
Is choke used to mean strangle?
Yes, choke can mean to squeeze someone's throat so they cannot breathe, which is a distinct, more violent sense from simply being unable to breathe due to a blockage. Context usually makes clear whether the choking is accidental or deliberate.
