short-winded

[shawrt-win-did]

adjective

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

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

short-winded

adjective

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

2. (of speech or writing) terse or abrupt

Word History and Origins

Origin of short-winded¹

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.

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Short-handed and short-winded, the Lakers again got beaten on the glass and again got beaten in transition, multiple possessions ending with James failing to cross midcourt as he grabbed at oxygen.

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While prairie jackrabbits are capable of amazing bursts of speed—up to and over fifty miles an hour—they are relatively short-winded.

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

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

Read more on Salon