out of breath

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.

Discover More

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.

“I have your flowers, your grace,” the boy said, out of breath.

Read more on Literature

Mrs. Clarke was mildly out of breath, but she bore a pleased expression.

Read more on Literature

She was scarcely out of breath, even after all that running up and down stairs.

Read more on Literature

I was out of breath when I made it to Cleo.

Read more on Literature

But Chitchat had come a long way, and she was out of breath.

Read more on Literature

Browse