gasp
//ɡɑːsp//
informalForms
- present (v1)
- gasp
- past (v2)
- gasped
- past participle (v3)
- gasped
- present participle
- gasping
- 3rd person singular
- gasps
- Plural
- gasps
Definitions
1.To draw in the breath suddenly, as if from a shock.
- The audience gasped as the magician disappeared.
2.To breathe quickly or in a labored manner, as after exertion; to respire with heaving of the breast; to pant.
- We were all gasping when we reached the summit.
- Bon's thighs wrapped around her waist, and Annie moved against her slowly, watching every flutter of her lashes, every gasp that spilled out.
3.To speak in a breathless manner.
- The old man gasped his last few words.
4.To pant with eagerness or excitement; to show vehement desire.
- Quenching the gasping furrows' thirst with rain.
- I'm gasping for a cup of tea.
1.A short, sudden intake of breath.
2.A draw or drag on a cigarette (or gasper).(slang)
- I'm popping out for a gasp.
1.The sound of a gasp.(humorous)
- Gasp! What will happen next?
Frequency
Overall
Rare· #4716
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Rare
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Rare
Etymology
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”).