asthmatic

American  

[az-mat-ik, as-] / æzˈmæt ɪk, æs- /

adjective

1. having or experiencing asthma.

2. relating to asthma.

   an asthmatic cough.

3. suggestive of the wheezing or whistling sound symptomatic of asthma.

   We'll be listening for the telltales signs of imminent disaster: the last, asthmatic gasps from our geriatric central heating boiler.

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noun

1. a person with asthma.

asthmatic British  

/ æsˈmætɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or having asthma

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noun

1. a person who has asthma

Usage

Rather than talking about an asthmatic or asthmatics , it is better to talk about a person with asthma , people with asthma

Other Word Forms

• antiasthmatic adjective
• asthmatically adverb
• nonasthmatic adjective
• nonasthmatically adverb
• postasthmatic adjective
• unasthmatic adjective

Etymology

Origin of asthmatic

First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin asthmaticus, from Greek asthmatikós, equivalent to asthmat- (stem of ásthma ) asthma + -ikos -ic

Example Sentences

She was also a severe asthmatic, always followed by a "frightened minion carrying her asthma inhaler, as though it were a crown, or a sceptre of some sort".

From BBC • Sep. 4, 2025

“I’m an anxious, asthmatic, ADHD, gay, diabetic Jew,” he shrieks, repeating the list so that the audience can register the gravity of the situation.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 4, 2024

As portrayed here, Stanton is intense, asthmatic, married to the job and thus neglecting his actual wife; you know the drill.

From New York Times • Mar. 28, 2024

He's also asthmatic, which is true, and to a degree that prevents him from moving fast enough to intercept Booth as his officers close in.

From Salon • Mar. 15, 2024

He kept laughing like he was having an asthmatic fit until Luke and Agrius both stared at him.

From "The Sea of Monsters" by Rick Riordan