What does wheeziest mean?
Wheeziest is the superlative form of the adjective wheezy. It describes something that produces the most pronounced wheeze: a loud, high-pitched, strained or labored breathing sound. The word is commonly applied to a person's breathing, voice, or laugh, as in “the wheeziest laugh in the room,” and it can also characterize the sound of an old vehicle or machine. Its tone ranges from affectionate and humorous to mildly disparaging, depending on context. “Wheeziest” is more emphatic than “wheezier,” the ordinary comparative, and more vivid than the neutral phrase “the most wheezy.” The word is especially useful when an author wants to make an already recognizable sound seem exaggerated or comically distinctive. Although it is related to the noun and verb “wheeze,” its usual function in modern English is as a descriptive adjective.
adjectiveThe most wheezy; making the loud, high-pitched, labored sound associated with wheezing.
- Most raspy or labored in breathing; having the most pronounced wheezing sound.
"His wheeziest laugh could be heard from the other side of the room."
"The wheeziest laugh came from the old man by the fire."
"Even the newest machine had a wheezier sound than the old one."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does wheeziest come from?
Wheeziest is formed by adding the superlative suffix -est to the adjective wheezy, which in turn derives from the verb and noun wheeze. The word wheeze appears in English in the early 17th century and is generally considered imitative, reflecting the associated sound of difficult or noisy breathing. The development from wheeze to wheezy and then to wheeziest reflects the regular English formation of descriptive adjectives and their comparatives and superlatives.
How wheeziest is actually used
Usually descriptive and often humorous or mildly critical. It can characterize a person's breathing, voice, laugh, or a mechanical sound, and is more emphatic than the ordinary comparative form.
Easily confused with wheeziest
Weaziest means most weary or exhausted, whereas wheeziest describes the most raspy or labored breathing or sound.