gasp

CEFRB2

/ɡɑːsp/

verb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    verb

    To take a sudden, sharp breath because of surprise or difficulty.

  2. 02

    verb

    Extra detail

    To breathe quickly or in a labored manner, as after exertion; to respire with heaving of the breast; to pant.

Examples

  • Tom came up for a gasp of air.

  • She could scarcely gasp the words.

At a glance

Sits at B2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
1
Citations
1

Also pronounced

  • /ɡasp/

Deep Dive

verb

Extra meanings

  1. To speak in a breathless manner.

  2. To draw in the breath suddenly, as if from a shock.

  3. To pant with eagerness or excitement; to show vehement desire.

More examples

In context

  • c. 1761-1764, Robert Lloyd, An Epistle to C. Churchill, Author of the Rosicad She gasps and struggles hard for life.

  • The audience gasped as the magician disappeared.

  • We were all gasping when we reached the summit.

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

Many people blank in shock when they suddenly see a spider nearby.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

verb

From Middle English gaspen, gayspen (“to gape, outbreathe”), related to and likely derived from Old Norse geispa (“to yawn”) or its descendant Danish gispe, which may be related to gapa (“to gape”).