wheeze

[hweez, weez]

verb (used without object)

wheezed, wheezing 

1. to breathe with difficulty and with a whistling sound.

   Asthma caused him to wheeze.

2. to make a sound resembling difficult breathing.

   The old locomotive wheezed into the station.

noun

1. a wheezing breath or sound.

2. an old and frequently used joke, saying, story, etc.

wheeze

/ wiːz /

verb

1. to breathe or utter (something) with a rasping or whistling sound

2. (intr) to make or move with a noise suggestive of wheezy breathing

noun

1. a husky, rasping, or whistling sound or breathing

2. slang,  a trick, idea, or plan (esp in the phrase good wheeze )

3. informal,  a hackneyed joke or anecdote

Other Word Forms

• wheezer noun
• wheezingly adverb
• wheezy adjective
• wheezily adverb
• wheeziness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of wheeze¹

1425–75; late Middle English whese (v.), probably < Old Norse hvæsa to hiss

Word History and Origins

Origin of wheeze¹

C15: probably from Old Norse hvǣsa to hiss

Example Sentences

A snuffling, wheezing sound came from the corner.

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Her long, tragic sigh was like the final wheezing note played on the last accordion in all the world, moments before accordions became extinct.

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It's no mean feat, albeit both were a damp squib with Scotland wheezing their way to an early exit on each occasion without really landing a punch on, well, anyone.

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She splashed the water with her fins, and took long, wheezing breaths, and sprayed mist high into the air.

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Edi Rama does not deny that there is an element of a publicity stunt to his latest wheeze.

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Related Words

• cough 
• gasp 
• hiss 
• puff 
• snore