adj
gasping
Gasping (adj) means struggling to breathe, especially from exertion or shock. Example: “She was gasping after sprinting the last mile.”
adj
1
Struggling to breathe, especially from exertion or shock.
"She was gasping after sprinting the last mile."
2
(British, informal) Extremely thirsty.
"Pour me a drink, I'm gasping."
How to use gasping
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishStruggling for breath, or (informally in British English) desperately thirsty.
When to use it
The "desperately thirsty" sense is casual British slang.
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Word forms
- Plural
- gaspings
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She was _____ after sprinting the last mile.
Rhymes for gasping
See all rhymes for gasping →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.
