short-winded
Americanadjective
-
short of breath; liable to difficulty in breathing.
-
brief or concise; to the point, as in speech or writing.
adjective
-
tending to run out of breath, esp after exertion
-
(of speech or writing) terse or abrupt
Etymology
Origin of short-winded
late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Treating her EPs and albums with the same attention to detail, “Blush” stands as a short-winded seven-track exploration of sorrow, femininity and fleeting love.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2024
“If they cough so much they can’t catch their breath, or they’re so short-winded they can’t get a whole sentence out, that’s something that needs to be evaluated in person,” he said.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 23, 2021
The crowd certainly liked Michelle Obama, whom an unusually short-winded Bill Clinton accurately introduced as “the finest surrogate, supporter that any candidate has ever had.”
From Slate ● Nov. 8, 2016
“I forgot my keys at home,” she pants, irritable and short-winded.
From Salon ● Aug. 18, 2015
“I never had any trouble with my heart. Just a little short-winded when I climb the stairs.”
From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
