GASP

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does gasp mean? 

• GASP (noun)
  The noun GASP has 1 sense:

1. a short labored intake of breath with the mouth open

  Familiarity information: GASP used as a noun is very rare.

• GASP (verb)
  The verb GASP has 1 sense:

1. breathe noisily, as when one is exhausted

  Familiarity information: GASP used as a verb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• GASP (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A short labored intake of breath with the mouth open

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

gasp; pant

Context example:

she gave a gasp and fainted

Hypernyms ("gasp" is a kind of...):

aspiration; breathing in; inhalation; inspiration; intake (the act of inhaling; the drawing in of air (or other gases) as in breathing)

Derivation:

gasp (breathe noisily, as when one is exhausted)

• GASP (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they gasp    ... he / she / it gasps   
Past simple: gasped   
Past participle: gasped   
-ing form: gasping   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Breathe noisily, as when one is exhausted

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Synonyms:

gasp; heave; pant; puff

Context example:

The runners reached the finish line, panting heavily

Hypernyms (to "gasp" is one way to...):

blow (exhale hard)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Derivation:

gasp (a short labored intake of breath with the mouth open)

 Context examples 

‘No, no, Jack, for God’s sake!’ she gasped, in uncontrollable emotion.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He had hardly turned to leave the hut when Hopkin’s hand was on the fellow’s collar, and I heard his loud gasp of terror as he understood that he was taken.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“But the twelve-mile drive?” gasped Hatherley.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I gasped, caught my breath painfully, and opened my eyes.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Once and twice his gasping face and clutching fingers broke up through the still green water, sweeping outwards in the swirl of the current.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

"He thinks we did it," Hans gasped, "that I did it."

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

"Say, you needn't tell me you haven't tackled poetry," he gasped.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Our visitor was so excited that he could hardly articulate, but at last in gasps and bursts his tragic story came out of him.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“Not a man—with one—leg?” he gasped.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

When his request was granted he set out on his way, and one day came to a pond, where he saw three fishes caught in the reeds and gasping for water.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)