breathless

[ breth-lis ]

See synonyms for: breathless breathlessly on Thesaurus.com

adjective

without breath or breathing with difficulty; gasping; panting: We were breathless after the steep climb.
with the breath held, as in suspense, astonishment, fear, or the like: breathless listeners of the mystery story.

causing loss of breath, as from excitement, anticipation, or tension: a breathless ride.
dead; lifeless.
motionless or still, as air without a breeze: a breathless summer day.

Origin of breathless

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

Other words from breathless

breath·less·ly, adverb
breath·less·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use breathless in a sentence

When he arrived beneath its domed ceiling, already breathless from the run over, he got hit in the face with bear spray.
“I Don’t Trust the People Above Me”: Riot Squad Cops Open Up About Disastrous Response to Capitol Insurrection | by Joaquin Sapien and Joshua Kaplan | February 12, 2021 | ProPublica
For years, Republicans have been jumping up and down, breathlessly screaming that the Affordable Care Act would be a “disaster.”
Lame Duck Laughs From Political Pranksters | Olivia Nuzzi | April 1, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
As I was taking off my boots, Bianca came breathlessly into my room.
My Attack of Model Jealousy | Anonymous | February 9, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
It leads one to wonder how breathlessly the actual runup to the 2016 election will be covered.
A Cuomo-Christie Proxy War? | Ben Jacobs | December 3, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Run breathlessly and pointlessly after his mustachioed shadow?
Our Mega Fall 2013 Books Preview: 21 Must Reads | Lucas Wittmann, Jimmy So | September 5, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST

Most breathlessly speculated that the defense would never recover.
Trayvon Was Black. It Matters. | Mark Geragos | July 15, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
At sight of Monsieur Gaubert, running so breathlessly, he started forward, wondering and uneasy.
St. Martin's Summer | Rafael Sabatini
Just then Jess was aroused from her brown 15 study by hearing somebody calling breathlessly after her.
The Girls of Central High on the Stage | Gertrude W. Morrison
There were few afternoons when a ring of spectators did not surround the table, breathlessly watching the champions.
Scattergood Baines | Clarence Budington Kelland
"Never mind them," said Amy, leaning a little breathlessly toward Betty.
The Outdoor Girls in the Saddle | Laura Lee Hope
He crushed the paper in his hand and hurried breathlessly westward at the top of his speed.
The Weight of the Crown | Fred M. White

British Dictionary definitions for breathless

breathless

/ (ˈbrɛθlɪs) /

adjective

out of breath; gasping, etc
holding one's breath or having it taken away by excitement, etc: a breathless confrontation

(esp of the atmosphere) motionless and stifling
rare lifeless; dead

Derived forms of breathless

breathlessly, adverb
breathlessness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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