wheezy

American  

[hwee-zee, wee-] / ˈʰwi zi, ˈwi- /

adjective

wheezier, wheeziest

1. afflicted with or characterized by wheezing.

   wheezy breathing.

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Other Word Forms

• wheezily adverb
• wheeziness noun

Etymology

Origin of wheezy

First recorded in 1810–20; wheeze + -y ¹

Example Sentences

Testing the human animal’s tolerance for plaintive fiddles, wheezy bagpipes, Peter Coyote and the whispery recitations of diary entries, “The American Revolution” is the most Ken Burns-y of Ken Burns series.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 13, 2025

While perfectly decent, “A Complete Unknown” is the kind of routine rock biopic that’s begun to sound as wheezy as a junk-shop accordion.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 26, 2025

“He was this stoic guy and then he started playing D&D and was like —” Curry broke into a wheezy, garbled voice, “—’I’m a goblin!’

From Seattle Times • Jan. 24, 2024

One day last October, she started feeling wheezy with a tight chest, but by the evening her breathing was much better, and she went to bed after a long shower.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2023

“Hello hello hello,” Count Olaf said in a wheezy whisper.

From "The Bad Beginning" by Lemony Snicket