gasp

1 of 2

verb

ˈgasp 

gasped; gasping; gasps

intransitive verb

1

: to catch the breath convulsively and audibly (as with shock)

2

: to breathe laboriously

transitive verb

: to utter in a gasping manner

gasp

2 of 2

noun

plural gasps

: an act of gasping : a sudden loud intake of breath with one's mouth because of surprise, shock, pain, etc.

He let out an audible gasp at the sight of the snake.

a gasp of surprise

His eyes looked wild and strange from the fever; he trembled continuously, and each breath he took sounded like a gasp for life.

—Robert C. O'Brien

In the next hour Lemieux drew gasps from the crowd half a dozen more times …

—E. M. Swift

Synonyms

Verb

• blow
• heave
• hyperventilate
• pant
• puff
• wheeze

Example Sentences

Verb

Mom gasped in surprise at the sight of my sister's new haircut.

He gasped as he stepped into the icy water.

a dying man gasping for breath

She was gasping for air.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

There are ample opportunities to connect on an emotional level, making each other laugh and gasp with our stories. —Tarot Astrologers, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2023

Now to November 29: Any beauty lover will gasp over Fenty Beauty's wild sale. —Sarah Han, Allure, 28 Nov. 2022

Tour de France racers would gasp at the weight of a low-rider bicycle, but the owners don’t much care. —Robert Scheer, The Indianapolis Star, 17 Nov. 2022

Humid air slowly retreats today, but get ready to gasp this weekend at the low humidity and beautiful blue skies. —David Streit, Washington Post, 11 Aug. 2022

Folks would gasp as the bird launched into the air, perfectly timed with the soaring music. —Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel, 28 July 2022

Brendan Mullin, who took pictures of the event, could hear children gasp when a Marine Santa entered a prekindergarten classroom. —From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 28 Dec. 2021

At the 7903-foot summit, the Turbo S's twin altitude compensators keep the engine at full tilt, whereas the 911 GT3's naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six would likely gasp for oxygen. —David Beard, Car and Driver, 20 Jan. 2022

Brendan Mullin, who took pictures of the event, could hear children gasp when a Marine Santa entered a pre-kindergarten classroom. —Fox News, 26 Dec. 2021

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Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English; akin to Old Norse geispa to yawn

First Known Use

Verb

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

Noun

circa 1529, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing gasp

• last-gasp
• last-gasp goal

• last-gasp
• last-gasp goal

Kids Definition

gasp

verb

ˈgasp 

1

: to draw in a breath sharply (as with shock)

2

: to breathe with difficulty : pant

3

: to utter with quick difficult breaths

gasp noun