gasp
Americannoun
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gasps
plural
-
a sudden, short intake of breath, as in shock or surprise.
-
a convulsive effort to breathe.
-
a short, convulsive utterance.
the words came out in gasps.
verb (used without object)
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gasps,
present (3rd person singular)
-
gasped,
past participle, past
-
gasping
present participle
verb (used with object)
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gasps,
present (3rd person singular)
-
gasped,
past participle, past
-
gasping
present participle
-
to utter with gasps (often followed by out, forth, away, etc.).
She gasped out the words.
-
to breathe or emit with gasps (often followed byaway ).
idioms
verb
-
(intr) to draw in the breath sharply, convulsively, or with effort, esp in expressing awe, horror, etc
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(intr; foll by after or for) to crave
-
to utter or emit breathlessly
noun
-
a short convulsive intake of breath
-
a short convulsive burst of speech
-
-
at the point of death
-
at the last moment
-
Synonym Usage
See pant 1.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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gaspsimple
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gaspssimple
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have gaspedperfect
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has gaspedperfect
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am gaspingprogressive
-
are gaspingprogressive
-
is gaspingprogressive
-
have been gaspingperfect progressive
-
has been gaspingperfect progressive
Past
-
gaspedsimple
-
had gaspedperfect
-
was gaspingprogressive
-
were gaspingprogressive
-
had been gaspingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of gasp
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English gaspen, probably Old English *gāspen, equivalent to Old Norse geispa; akin to gape
Explanation
A gasp is the sound made by a sharp inward breath. After running up a steep hill, your breath will come in gasps. When you make the sound of a gasp, you gasp: "It was so surprising to see my lost cat sitting calmly on the front porch that it made me gasp." People tend to gasp when they're shocked or hurt. A "last gasp" is the moment just before someone dies — it can also mean the point of completing or ending something: "It was the last gasp of video stores in my city when that one closed."
Vocabulary lists containing gasp
Illegal
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Vocabulary from Readings 1, Unit 1
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Those in the crowd gasp, cheer and laugh.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 30, 2026
People grin and gasp, some with tears streaming down their faces.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 23, 2026
A spokesperson for New Zealand's Racing Minister Winston Peters called the plans to relocate the dogs "the last gasp actions of a dying industry".
From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026
She also – gasp – views the sniveling Mr. Collins favorably.
From Salon ● Jun. 25, 2026
He breathed out, a rough gasp of glee, and Christopher stepped back.
From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell
There were gasps and – to the intense irritation of supporters – cheers from opponents of assisted dying when the vote was read out in the Commons.
From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026
There’s no more fitting description of a documentary that’s cobbled together from the dying gasps of ’90s fashion culture, when glamor and mischief reigned supreme.
From Salon ● Sep. 5, 2026
The total eclipse plunged a vast swathe of Spain from broad daylight into darkness Wednesday, drawing awed gasps and applause from spectators gathered in parks and cities across the country.
From Barron's ● Aug. 12, 2026
Large crowds at viewing sites across the UK and Europe reacted with gasps and cheers, with astronomy enthusiasts saying it served as a reminder of how "amazing" the universe is.
From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026
Supporters assured them, however, that these partial and limited concessions only reflected the fading gasps of a dying institution.
From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis
Many in the audience laughed and applauded, when they should have gasped or moaned.
From Slate ● Sep. 10, 2026
I caught the film at a recent matinee in New Orleans, and children and adults alike gasped at Harryhausen’s movie monsters – from the looming metal colossus of Telos to the hissing and slithering Hydra.
From Salon ● Sep. 4, 2026
The audience gasped and then cheered as the Saltburn and Gone Girl actor said she hoped the person was a doctor and that their message had been "very important".
From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026
Korda gasped, covered her mouth, waved to the crowd and wiped away tears.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 8, 2026
A big male polar bear stood up on his hind legs and put his front paws on the tundra buggy with a thump, and the tourists sitting inside jumped back and gasped.
From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz
In the darkness, partially kneeling, gasping for air and practically immobile, he suffered aftershock after aftershock.
From Barron's ● Jul. 5, 2026
As a result of the physical exertion, the former chef claims that she “became dizzy, began choking and gasping for air, and required assistance from security personnel, who intervened by providing water and aid.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 25, 2026
Fonseca's biggest weapon is the ferocious forehand that leaves opponents beaten and spectators gasping with excitement.
From BBC ● May 29, 2026
“I had kind of a mental health breakdown,” Tyson said, describing sleep deprivation so severe she felt drunk and anxiety attacks that left her gasping for air.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 8, 2026
Anya, gasping for breath, stumbled into the kitchen after Ivan.
From Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
