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

The biggest gasp backstage was when 33-year-old Hull born Robert Aramayo beat Hollywood royalty to win the Bafta for leading actor.

From BBC • Feb. 22, 2026

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

At the tail-end of the technooptimist spike brought by President Barack Obama, this was the last gasp of Web 2.0.

From Salon • Nov. 7, 2025

From some people, I heard cries of relief, from others, a gasp of surprise and disappointment.

From Slate • Oct. 6, 2025

George pulled back Owen’s torn pant leg and sleeve, and then it was George’s turn to gasp.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz

Related Words

• choke
• snort
• whoop