Synonyms

out of breath

Idioms

Breathing with difficulty, panting, gasping. For example, After five flights of stairs I'm out of breath. This slightly hyperbolic term (since literally running out of breath means one is dead) dates from the late 1500s. Also see catch one's breath.

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.

"There are moments that feel incredibly heightened - you're out of breath, facing elements of hysteria - but it's brilliant."

From BBC • Jun. 18, 2025

In November 2021 she started noticing that she was constantly out of breath but was unable to get a diagnosis for some time.

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2025

I wanted people to notice that it sounds like she’s getting out of breath.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 16, 2024

I’ll swing as high as I can, as fast as possible, until I’m out of breath.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 10, 2024

She quickly got out of breath slicing off new bedding with the panga.

From "A Girl Named Disaster" by Nancy Farmer

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023