hyperventilate

American  

[hahy-per-ven-tl-eyt] / ˌhaɪ pərˈvɛn tlˌeɪt /

verb (used without object)

hyperventilated, hyperventilating

1. to be afflicted with hyperventilation; breathe abnormally fast and deep.

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verb (used with object)

hyperventilated, hyperventilating

1. to cause (a patient) to breathe more rapidly and deeply than normal.

hyperventilate British  

/ ˌhaɪpəˈvɛntɪleɪt /

verb

1. (intr) to breathe in an abnormally deep, long, and rapid manner, sometimes resulting in cramp and dizziness

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Etymology

Origin of hyperventilate

First recorded in 1930–35; back formation from hyperventilation

Example Sentences

Charlotte advises me to breathe deeply and try not to hyperventilate.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 7, 2025

The game experience at the Duchess was filled with anxious chatter interrupted by loud bursts of joy when the Huskies scored, with the fourth quarter providing tension enough to make Husky fans everywhere hyperventilate.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 1, 2024

If you hyperventilate, you start getting all the physiological symptoms that you get during a panic attack.

From Salon • Oct. 15, 2023

Superior Court Judge Kimberly Menninger told him he would hyperventilate if he didn’t control himself.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 15, 2023

My head is dizzy as I begin to hyperventilate.

From "First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers" by Loung Ung