short-winded

American  

[shawrt-win-did] / ˈʃɔrtˈwɪn dɪd /

adjective

1. short of breath; liable to difficulty in breathing.

2. brief or concise; to the point, as in speech or writing.

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short-winded British  

adjective

1. tending to run out of breath, esp after exertion

2. (of speech or writing) terse or abrupt

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Etymology

Origin of short-winded

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50

Example Sentences

Treating her EPs and albums with the same attention to detail, “Blush” stands as a short-winded seven-track exploration of sorrow, femininity and fleeting love.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 16, 2024

“If they cough so much they can’t catch their breath, or they’re so short-winded they can’t get a whole sentence out, that’s something that needs to be evaluated in person,” he said.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 23, 2021

The crowd certainly liked Michelle Obama, whom an unusually short-winded Bill Clinton accurately introduced as “the finest surrogate, supporter that any candidate has ever had.”

From Slate • Nov. 8, 2016

“I forgot my keys at home,” she pants, irritable and short-winded.

From Salon • Aug. 18, 2015

“I never had any trouble with my heart. Just a little short-winded when I climb the stairs.”

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck