What does winded mean?
Winded is an adjective meaning out of breath or short of breath, usually because someone has exerted themselves physically. It is often used to describe a person who has run, climbed, carried something heavy, or otherwise used up their breath: 'The children were winded after the race.' The word has a slightly literary or formal quality, while the everyday alternatives are 'out of breath' and 'breathless.' Although it can suggest exhaustion, its central focus is specifically on breathing rather than general tiredness. Winded is especially effective in descriptive writing because it conveys both the physical strain and the sudden loss of comfortable breathing. It is not normally used for ordinary tiredness and should not be confused with 'wound,' an unrelated word meaning an injury or a twisting action.
adjectiveOut of breath, especially as a result of exertion. It can also describe someone whose breath has been exhausted or who is short of breath.
- Out of breath or short of breath, especially because of exertion.
"The runners were winded by the time they reached the summit."
"After climbing the steep hill, he was too winded to answer the question."
"The old dog lay on the path, winded and trembling, while the storm passed overhead."
Winded captures that precise moment when even a short walk leaves you gasping: it is the perfect word for a body that has been pushed past its breath.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does winded come from?
Winded was formed in English from wind with the suffix -ed, in the sense of having had one's breath exhausted or lost. The verb wind ultimately relates to Old English windan, meaning to wind, turn, or wrap, while the resulting adjective developed the more specific idea of breathlessness. The same English root also appears in related formations such as windy, windmill, and windlass.
How winded is actually used
Winded is most often used predicatively, as in 'the climber was winded.' It is somewhat more literary or formal than 'out of breath,' and is less common in casual speech. Its spelling and pronunciation can lead to confusion with 'wound.'
Easily confused with winded
Winded means out of breath, whereas wound can mean an injury or, in another sense, something that has been twisted or coiled.