gasp

Use gasp in a sentence

A woman gasps.

noun

The definition of a gasp is a deep inhale as if in shock.
An example of a gasp is a reaction to seeing an accident occur.

verb

To gasp is defined as to quickly take a deep breath or to have trouble catching your breath.
1. An example of to gasp is to inhale quickly in shock after seeing a car accident.
2. An example of to gasp is to breath with effort after having run around the block.

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"gasp." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 09 April 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/gasp>.

APA Style

gasp. (n.d.). Retrieved April 09th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/gasp

gasp

to inhale suddenly, as in surprise, or breathe with effort, as in choking

Origin of gasp

Middle English gaspen from Old Norse geispa, to yawn, probably by metathesis of an unverified form geipsa from geipa, to gossip: for Indo-European base see gape

to say or tell with gasps

a gasping; catching of the breath with difficulty

gasp Idioms

at the last gasp

just before death
just before the end; at the last moment

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MLA Style

"gasp." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 09 April 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/gasp>.

APA Style

gasp. (n.d.). Retrieved April 09th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/gasp

gasp

verb

gasped, gasp·ing, gasps

verb

intransitive

To draw in the breath sharply, as from shock.
To breathe convulsively or laboriously: gasping for air.

verb

transitive

To utter in a breathless manner.

noun

A short convulsive intake or catching of the breath.

Origin of gasp

Middle English gaspen, gaispen to gape, yawn from Old Norse geispa to yawn

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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Cite this page

MLA Style

"gasp." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 09 April 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/gasp>.

APA Style

gasp. (n.d.). Retrieved April 09th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/gasp

Noun

(plural gasps)

A short, sudden intake of breath.
The audience gave a gasp of astonishment
(UK, slang): A draw or drag on a cigarette (gasper).
I'm popping out for a gasp.

Verb

(third-person singular simple present gasps, present participle gasping, simple past and past participle gasped)

(intransitive) To draw in the breath suddenly, as if from a shock.
The audience gasped as the magician disappeared.
(intransitive) To breathe laboriously or convulsively.
We were all gasping when we reached the summit.
To speak in a breathless manner.
The old man gasped his last few words.
To pant with eagerness; to show vehement desire.
I'm gasping for a cup of tea.

Interjection

(humorous) The sound of a gasp.
Gasp! What will happen next?

Origin

From Middle English. Related to and possibly derived from Old Norse geispa or Danish gispe.

See also: gäsp

Proper noun

A city and a peninsula in Quebec, Canada

English Wiktionary. Available under CC-BY-SA license.

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Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"gasp." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 09 April 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/gasp>.

APA Style

gasp. (n.d.). Retrieved April 09th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/gasp

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