What does chokingly mean?
Chokingly is an adverb that combines the idea of choking with the intensifying force of -ly. In its physical sense, it describes smoke, fog, heat, or another condition so dense or suffocating that it makes breathing difficult. In figurative and literary use, it describes something so moving, painful, funny, or affecting that it seems to tighten the throat or bring tears. The word therefore carries a double resonance: it can evoke literal lack of air and the emotional pressure of an intense response. It is not a neutral descriptor; its use signals strong feeling, often in criticism, storytelling, or informal discussion. Chokingly funny and chokingly moving are characteristic patterns. Because it intensifies the image of choking rather than naming a measurable condition, it is most effective when the surrounding sentence makes clear whether the effect is physical, emotional, or humorous. It is understood in standard English in both British and American usage, although it is more literary and conversational than formal.
adverbIn a way that causes choking or makes breathing difficult; figuratively, so intensely moving, painful, funny, or affecting that it leaves one emotionally overwhelmed.
- In a way that causes choking, suffocation, or difficulty breathing.
- So intensely moving, painful, funny, or affecting that it produces an emotional response resembling the tightening of the throat or the inability to speak.
"The comedy was chokingly funny, and the audience struggled to catch its breath between laughs."
"The smoke was chokingly thick, reducing visibility to almost nothing."
"Her performance was chokingly moving, bringing tears to the audience."
Chokingly is a verbal chokehold: it can describe air that will not let you breathe—and art that leaves you unable to speak.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does chokingly come from?
Chokingly is an English formation built from choking, the present participle of choke, with the adverbial suffix -ly. It means “in a choking manner,” and its figurative uses develop naturally from the bodily sensation of being unable to breathe when overcome by emotion. Related forms include choke, choking, and choker.
How chokingly is actually used
Informal to literary and strongly evaluative. It is especially common before words such as funny, moving, sad, and beautiful, where it emphasizes an intense emotional response. It can also describe physically oppressive conditions, though less often in formal or technical writing.