What does wheezing mean?
Wheezing means breathing with a loud, strained, or sometimes musical noise often caused by narrowed or inflamed airways. It is frequently associated with asthma, bronchitis, or another respiratory condition and can also occur after exertion. The word functions both as a verb form and as an adjective, especially in phrases such as “a wheezing cough.” Figuratively, people may be said to be wheezing when laughter or excitement makes their breathing sound loud and unsteady, although the expression is more often used when describing genuine breathing difficulty. Unlike panting, which mainly suggests rapid breathing from exertion, and gasping, which often marks a sudden intake of breath, wheezing specifically emphasizes a persistent audible and strained respiratory sound. The word is useful in medical description and vivid literary writing because it captures both the physical act and its characteristic sound.
To breathe with a loud, strained, or sometimes musical sound, especially because of a respiratory condition or physical exertion.
"He has been wheezing since the smoke filled the room."
Wheezing is the present participle of wheeze and is normally used in progressive constructions.
Involving noisy, strained breathing; characteristic of or associated with wheezing.
"The doctor listened carefully to the child's wheezing cough."
The adjective sense is especially common before words such as cough, sound, and breath.
A wheeze can signal a blocked airway—or laughter so forceful that breathing turns into a whistle.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does wheezing come from?
The word comes through Middle English from Old English hwīsan, meaning “to breathe hard.” It is related to Old Norse hvissa, with a comparable meaning, and the same root also produced wheezy and wheeziness. The modern sense developed from the characteristic noisy sound made while breathing with difficulty.
How wheezing is actually used
Wheezing is primarily descriptive and is especially common in medical contexts. Figurative uses, especially for laughter, are readily understood but generally informal.