gaspverb [ I ]
uk/ɡɑːsp/us/ɡæsp/C2 to take a short, quick breath through the mouth, especially because of surprise, pain, or shock:
When she saw the money hidden in the box she gasped in surprise.
[ + speech ] "Help me!" he gasped.
C2 to breathe loudly and with difficulty, trying to get more air:
He pulled her aboard the boat and she sprawled on the deck, coughing and gasping for breath.
More examples
- When they announced that Chris had won first prize, he gasped in astonishment.
- He opened the box and gasped to see all the treasure inside.
- "How on earth did you do that?," she gasped.
- He struggled out of the pool and lay on his back, gasping.
- A loud crash from the other room made us gasp and run to the door.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Sounds made by humans with their mouths
- boom
- catcall
- cheer
- crow
- cry
- groan
- hoot
- keen
- laugh, shout, scream, etc. your head off idiom
- moan
- rasp
- raspberry
- roar
- sibilant
- squall
- wail
- whine
- whistle
- wolf whistle
- yowl
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Animal physiology: breathing & stopping breathing
Idiom(s)
be gasping
be gasping for sth
gaspnoun [ C ]
uk/ɡɑːsp/us/ɡæsp/C2 an act of gasping:
He gave a gasp of amazement.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Sounds made by humans with their mouths
- boom
- catcall
- cheer
- crow
- cry
- groan
- hoot
- keen
- laugh, shout, scream, etc. your head off idiom
- moan
- rasp
- raspberry
- roar
- sibilant
- squall
- wail
- whine
- whistle
- wolf whistle
- yowl
See more results »
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Animal physiology: breathing & stopping breathing