gasp

American  

[gasp, gahsp] / gæsp, gɑsp /

noun

1. a sudden, short intake of breath, as in shock or surprise.

2. a convulsive effort to breathe.

3. a short, convulsive utterance.

   the words came out in gasps.

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verb (used without object)

1. to catch one's breath.

   Synonyms:

   blow, puff

2. to struggle for breath with the mouth open; breathe convulsively.

   Synonyms:

   blow, puff

3. to long with breathless eagerness; desire; crave (usually followed by for orafter ).

verb (used with object)

1. to utter with gasps (often followed by out, forth, away, etc.).

   She gasped out the words.

2. to breathe or emit with gasps (often followed byaway ).

idioms

1. last gasp, the point of death; dying.

   At his last gasp he confessed to the murder.

gasp British  

/ ɡɑːsp /

verb

1. (intr) to draw in the breath sharply, convulsively, or with effort, esp in expressing awe, horror, etc

2. (intr; foll by after or for) to crave

3. to utter or emit breathlessly

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noun

1. a short convulsive intake of breath

2. a short convulsive burst of speech

3. 1. at the point of death

   2. at the last moment

gasp More Idioms  

1. see last gasp.

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Related Words

See pant ¹.

Other Word Forms

• gaspingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of gasp

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English gaspen, probably Old English *gāspen, equivalent to Old Norse geispa; akin to gape

Example Sentences

"When you first immerse, you get an involuntary gasp and rapid breathing," she explains.

From BBC • Dec. 29, 2025

Technology has fallen, cities have gone dark and fear has united humanity as the world chokes on its dying gasp.

From Salon • Dec. 21, 2025

There’s not much more to say without giving it all away, so prepare to titter, gasp, scream and cheer for this juicy slice of indulgent women’s entertainment.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 18, 2025

The disorder, which affects millions of Americans, can cause a person to gasp for air or wake frequently at night and can have long-term complications, including heart problems, if untreated.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 25, 2025

George heard a gasp, and he rushed over.

From "I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912" by Lauren Tarshis

Related Words

• choke
• snort
• whoop