breathless

American  

[breth-lis] / ˈbrɛθ lɪs /

adjective

1. without breath or breathing with difficulty; gasping; panting.

   We were breathless after the steep climb.

2. with the breath held, as in suspense, astonishment, fear, or the like.

   breathless listeners of the mystery story.

3. causing loss of breath, as from excitement, anticipation, or tension.

   a breathless ride.

4. dead; lifeless.

5. motionless or still, as air without a breeze.

   a breathless summer day.

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breathless British  

/ ˈbrɛθlɪs /

adjective

1. out of breath; gasping, etc

2. holding one's breath or having it taken away by excitement, etc

   a breathless confrontation

3. (esp of the atmosphere) motionless and stifling

4. rare lifeless; dead

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Other Word Forms

• breathlessly adverb
• breathlessness noun

Etymology

Origin of breathless

First recorded in 1350–1400, breathless is from the Middle English word brethles. See breath, -less

Example Sentences

The conductor’s baton was raised, the audience braced, that breathless moment before a cacophony of chaos filled the air.

From Literature

Karli was breathless now, stumbling ever more often, wheezing and coughing almost constantly.

From Literature

Each crisis produced its share of breathless predictions.

From The Wall Street Journal

In a previous listing, the property was described as a “private retreat” that offers “mesmerizing city lights and mountain views that will leave you breathless.”

From MarketWatch

Anderson was beaming and breathless as he held the award, joined by lead actor Leonardo DiCaprio and the rest of the cast.

From Los Angeles Times