gasp

gasp — verb

1. to quickly draw air into your mouth with a short, sharp breath, usually because

1.verbintransitiveB1
Definition

to quickly draw air into your mouth with a short, sharp breath, usually because something has surprised, shocked, or hurt you

Example

Hyun gasped and jumped back when a huge spider suddenly appeared on his desk.

gasped + and + verb (consecutive reactions to shock)

The audience gasped as the performer slipped and hung from the tightrope.

Common collocations
  • gasp in surprise
  • gasp with shock
  • gasp in pain
  • gasp and step back
Synonyms
  • catch one's breath

    implies a pause to breathe after shock or exertion, less dramatic than gasp

  • draw in one's breath

    more formal and often implies a sharp intake indicating disapproval or concern

Grammar Patterns

gasp + (in/with + emotion noun)

gasp + and + verb

Common Mistakes

I gasped for air when I saw the spider.
I gasped when I saw the spider.
'gasp for air' belongs to sense 2 (difficulty breathing), not the sudden-reaction sense.

2. to breathe with great effort and a loud or rough sound, because your body is str

2.verbintransitiveB1
Definition

to breathe with great effort and a loud or rough sound, because your body is struggling to get enough air

Example

After running up five flights of stairs, Stefan was gasping for air.

be gasping for + air

The children found the lost dog gasping under the old wooden porch.

Common collocations
  • gasp for air
  • gasp for breath
  • gasp heavily
  • gasp and cough
Synonyms
  • pant

    quicker, shallower breaths, often after exercise; less dramatic than gasp

  • puff

    short, rapid breaths, often with puffed cheeks; less intense

  • wheeze

    breathing with a whistling sound, typically due to asthma or illness

Grammar Patterns

gasp + for + noun

be gasping + adverb

gasp + and + verb

Usage Note

Often followed by 'for' to specify what the body needs, most commonly 'for air' or 'for breath.' Unlike sense 1, this sense describes ongoing laboured breathing rather than a single sharp intake.

Common Mistakes

After the race, he gasped from exhaustion.
After the race, he panted from exhaustion.
For sustained heavy breathing after exercise, 'pant' is the more natural choice; 'gasp' suits a shorter, more dramatic struggle for air.

gasp — noun

Word family

  • gasping
    adjectiveB1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

Gasp describes a single, sharp intake of breath caused by surprise, shock, or sudden pain — it is a dramatic, involuntary reaction. Pant refers to repeated, shallow breaths, usually after physical exertion such as running or climbing; it is less intense and more sustained. Puff suggests short, quick breaths after mild activity, often with puffed-out cheeks, and can sound less serious. Wheeze implies a whistling or rattling sound during breathing, typically linked to asthma or a respiratory condition. For example: 'She gasped when the cold water hit her skin.' 'He was panting after running for the bus.' 'The old man puffed as he climbed the stairs.' 'The child's asthma made him wheeze during the night.'

gasp ↗pant ↗puffwheeze

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • let out a gasp
  • give a gasp
  • gasp for air
  • draw a sharp breath

Prepositions

Etymology

Old NorseMiddle EnglishEnglish

Gasp comes from Middle English gaspen, which is related to Old Norse geispa (to yawn). The original idea was opening the mouth wide, as in yawning, and over time the meaning narrowed to a sudden, sharp intake of breath triggered by surprise, pain, or effort.