What does gasping mean?
Gasping describes breathing in sudden, effortful bursts, as a person does after running hard, surfacing from water, experiencing shock or fear, or struggling to obtain enough air. The sound itself is often implied, making the word especially effective in physical descriptions: a runner may reach a wall “gasping for breath,” while someone frightened in the dark may gasp and struggle to speak. Gasping is also used figuratively for a desperate attempt to obtain something essential, as when a company is said to be gasping for funding. It is distinct from ordinary breathing and generally more intense than panting. In British and American English, the word is neutral in register, though it commonly conveys exhaustion, alarm, pain, or physical need. As a present participle it can be used directly with a subject, as in “He is gasping,” and as an adjective before a noun, as in “a gasping sound.” Used nominally, it denotes the act or condition of breathing in this way.
To breathe with sudden, effortful intakes of air, especially because of exertion, distress, shock, or a need for oxygen.
"The rescued climber was shivering and gasping for air."
This is the present participle form of gasp and is also used in the third-person singular simple present, as in “The child gasps for breath.”
Of or relating to urgent, difficult breathing, often producing a strained or faltering sound.
"A faint gasping sound came from the other side of the door."
This attributive use is especially common before words such as sound, breath, and voice.
The act of breathing with sudden, effortful intakes of air, or the condition of doing so.
"The room was filled with the gasping of the exhausted runners."
This nominal use is common in expressions such as “the gasping and panting,” where it denotes the activity or condition rather than a single breath.
For countable instances of the act, “gasp” and its plural “gasps” are normally used; “gasping” is more often a gerund-like noun denoting the activity or condition.
"Her sharp gasps echoed through the empty corridor."
A gasp is the body's urgent signal: “Air, now!”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does gasping come from?
Gasping is formed from the verb gasp, which comes through Middle English from an Old English word associated with opening the mouth widely or yawning. The word belongs to a Germanic family of expressions connected with breathing or opening the mouth, and its modern sense developed from the physical act of taking in air abruptly. The related noun gasp became especially common for a sudden intake of breath caused by surprise, exertion, or distress.
Related word forms
How gasping is actually used
Gasping is neutral in register but usually carries a note of exertion, fear, pain, or urgency. It is common in British and American English and is more emphatic than simply breathing, although it is sometimes used figuratively for a desperate attempt to obtain air, money, or attention.
Easily confused with gasping
Grasping means taking hold of something, whereas gasping means breathing with sudden, effortful intakes of air.