verb
C2
Proficient
wheeze
eez
Wheeze (verb) means to breathe with difficulty, making a rough whistling sound, often due to a respiratory problem. Example: “He wheezed his way up the stairs after the flu.”
verb
1
To breathe with difficulty, making a rough whistling sound, often due to a respiratory problem.
"He wheezed his way up the stairs after the flu."
"The old dog wheezed softly in its sleep."
noun
1
A whistling, rasping sound made when breathing with difficulty.
"You could hear the wheeze in her chest through the stethoscope."
How to use wheeze
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA rough, whistling sound made when breathing is difficult, often linked to asthma or a cold.
Common pairings
wheeze and cough
a chesty wheeze
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Word forms
- Plural
- wheezes
- Third person singular
- wheezes
- Past tense
- wheezed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He _____ his way up the stairs after the flu.
Etymology
From Middle English whesen, possibly from an Old Norse word meaning "to hiss," tracing back to a root meaning "to pant."
Rhymes for wheeze
See all rhymes for wheeze →Frequently asked questions
What does “wheeze” mean?
The word “wheeze” means to breathe with difficulty, making a rough whistling sound, often due to a respiratory problem. In plain terms, a rough, whistling sound made when breathing is difficult, often linked to asthma or a cold.
How do you pronounce “wheeze”?
“Wheeze” is pronounced eez (/ʍiːz/ in IPA).
How do you use “wheeze” in a sentence?
Here is “wheeze” used in a sentence: “He wheezed his way up the stairs after the flu.”
What part of speech is “wheeze”?
Depending on how it is used, “wheeze” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “wheeze” come from?
The word “wheeze” comes from Middle English. From Middle English whesen, possibly from an Old Norse word meaning "to hiss," tracing back to a root meaning "to pant.".
How many meanings does “wheeze” have?
“Wheeze” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to breathe with difficulty, making a rough whistling sound, often due to a respiratory problem.
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