adj

gasping

Gasping (adj) means struggling to breathe, especially from exertion or shock. Example: “She was gasping after sprinting the last mile.”

adj

Struggling to breathe, especially from exertion or shock.

"She was gasping after sprinting the last mile."

(British, informal) Extremely thirsty.

"Pour me a drink, I'm gasping."

How to use gasping

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishStruggling for breath, or (informally in British English) desperately thirsty.

When to use it

The "desperately thirsty" sense is casual British slang.

Word forms

gaspings plural

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She was _____ after sprinting the last mile.

Rhymes for gasping

rasping grasping

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Frequently asked questions

What does “gasping” mean?

The word “gasping” means struggling to breathe, especially from exertion or shock. In plain terms, struggling for breath, or (informally in British English) desperately thirsty.

How do you use “gasping” in a sentence?

Here is “gasping” used in a sentence: “She was gasping after sprinting the last mile.”

What part of speech is “gasping”?

“Gasping” is an adjective.

How many meanings does “gasping” have?

“Gasping” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: struggling to breathe, especially from exertion or shock.