breathless

adjective

breath·​less ˈbreth-ləs 

1

a

: not breathing

b

: dead

2

a

: panting or gasping for breath

b

: gripped with emotion

breathless in anticipation

c

: intense, gripping

breathless eagerness

breathless prose

d

: very rapid or strenuous

go at a breathless pace

e

: marked by intense or unremitting activity

a breathless schedule

3

: oppressive because of no fresh air or breeze

breathlessly adverb

breathlessness noun

Synonyms of breathless

• close
• suffocating
• stifling
• stuffy

Examples of breathless in a Sentence

They were breathless with anticipation.

I watched them in breathless wonder.

She describes the scene in breathless prose.

He drove at a breathless pace.

Recent Examples on the Web

In a bewildering and breathless match including 13 tries and six lead changes, Ramos was the difference as France scored only six tries, four to wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey. —ABC News, 14 Mar. 2026

Quite how that ended up as the only goal of a breathless occasion is a mystery. —James Pearce, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026

Kelce sarcastically framed his own unremarkable parenting moment as breaking news, mimicking the breathless tone of the TMZ report. —Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 9 Mar. 2026

The joke landed exactly as intended — a playful dig at the mundane nature of the original headline, with Kelce sarcastically framing his own unremarkable parenting moment as breaking news to mimic the breathless tone of the TMZ report. —Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for breathless

• deathless

Kids Definition

breathless

adjective

breath·​less ˈbreth-ləs 

1

a

: not breathing

b

: dead entry 1 sense 1

2

a

: panting or gasping for breath

b

: breathtaking sense 1

3

: difficult to bear because of lack of fresh air or breeze

a hot breathless day

breathlessly adverb

breathlessness noun

Medical Definition

breathless

adjective

breath·​less ˈbreth-ləs 

1

: panting or gasping for breath

2

: suffering from dyspnea