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

Researchers say blood pressure and blood sugar control improve for 24-48 hours after a workout that pushes you hard enough to become breathless for several minutes.

From Science Daily • May 16, 2026

They said they become breathless during long conversations and cannot walk and talk at the same time.

From BBC • May 1, 2026

But that amount of Botox left me breathless when climbing stairs, and the smoothing-out of my voice lasted for only a couple of weeks.

From Slate • Apr. 18, 2026

Instead, he delivers his hair-raising message—that we’re staring at “a humiliating and bloody defeat” if we go to war with China—in a jaunty, clever and sometimes breathless book.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

The smell of home juxtaposed with the sweaty, breathless odor of desperation and the taste of rust in my mouth.

From "Internment" by Samira Ahmed