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0 English - Dictionary monolingual

Gasp

ɡæsp
Extremely common
800 - 900
800-900, Extremely common
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
To take a quick, short breath with your mouth open, especially because you are surprised or in pain., To breathe noisily and quickly because you are out of breath, scared, or in pain., To say something in a way that suggests you are surprised, shocked, or impressed.

Gasp - Meanings

To take a quick, short breath with your mouth open, especially because you are surprised or in pain.

Example: She gasped in shock when she saw the accident.
Usage: informalContext: casual conversations, storytelling
Note: Commonly used to express surprise or sudden emotion.

To breathe noisily and quickly because you are out of breath, scared, or in pain.

Example: After running up the stairs, he was gasping for air.
Usage: informalContext: physical activities, emergency situations
Note: Often used to describe physical exertion or fear.

To say something in a way that suggests you are surprised, shocked, or impressed.

Example: I gasped at the price of the concert tickets.
Usage: formalContext: discussions about expenses, luxury items
Note: Used to convey astonishment or admiration.

Gasp's synonyms

pant

To breathe quickly and loudly, usually because you have been running or doing physical activity.
Example: After running for miles, he began to pant heavily.
Note: While 'gasp' implies a sudden intake of breath due to shock or surprise, 'pant' refers to rapid breathing often associated with physical exertion.

wheeze

To breathe with difficulty and with a whistling sound, usually due to a respiratory issue.
Example: The asthmatic patient wheezed as he struggled to catch his breath.
Note: Unlike 'gasp,' 'wheeze' suggests a continuous and often prolonged struggle to breathe, typically associated with a medical condition.

sigh

To exhale audibly, often to express a range of emotions such as relief, frustration, or contentment.
Example: She let out a deep sigh of relief when she heard the good news.
Note: Unlike 'gasp,' which involves a sudden inhalation, 'sigh' involves a deliberate and audible exhalation often expressing emotions.

puff

To breathe rapidly and audibly, often after physical exertion.
Example: The exhausted hiker took a puff as he reached the mountain peak.
Note: Similar to 'gasp,' 'puff' involves audible breathing, but it typically implies a less intense or sudden need for air.

Gasp expressions, common phrases

Catch one's breath

To pause in order to take a breath or rest after physical exertion.
Example: After running up the stairs, I had to stop to catch my breath.
Note: This phrase implies a need to rest or recover, rather than just a sudden intake of breath.

Take one's breath away

To be so amazed or impressed that one momentarily loses their ability to breathe or speak.
Example: The view from the mountaintop took my breath away.
Note: This phrase conveys a sense of awe or astonishment, rather than a physical reaction like gasping.

Out of breath

To be breathing heavily and struggling to get enough air; to have difficulty breathing due to physical exertion.
Example: She was out of breath after running a mile.
Note: This phrase describes a state of exhaustion or physical strain, rather than just a sudden inhalation of breath.

Hold one's breath

To wait with anticipation or anxiety for a particular outcome or result.
Example: I'm holding my breath until I hear back about the job interview.
Note: This phrase refers to a figurative holding of breath in anticipation, rather than a literal gasping for air.

Bated breath

To wait anxiously or excitedly for something to happen.
Example: The audience waited with bated breath for the announcement of the winner.
Note: Similar to 'hold one's breath,' this phrase conveys a sense of anticipation or suspense rather than a physical act of gasping.

Breathless anticipation

To be eagerly awaiting something with great excitement or expectation.
Example: The fans were in breathless anticipation of the superstar's arrival.
Note: This phrase emphasizes the excitement and eagerness of anticipation, rather than the physical act of gasping.

Short of breath

To experience difficulty in breathing; to be unable to breathe easily.
Example: He felt short of breath after climbing the steep hill.
Note: This phrase suggests a struggle to breathe, often due to a medical condition or physical exertion, rather than just a sudden gasp.

Gasp everyday (slang) expressions

Gobsmacked

To be utterly astonished or surprised.
Example: I was completely gobsmacked by the surprise party they threw for me.
Note: Gobsmacked is a more informal and colorful way to convey being surprised compared to the more neutral term 'gasp'.

Blown away

To be greatly impressed or amazed by something.
Example: The amazing performance by the band blew me away.
Note: Blown away carries a stronger sense of being impressed or amazed compared to a simple gasp of surprise.

Drop dead

To be so shocked or impressed that it feels like one could faint.
Example: When I saw her in that stunning dress, I almost dropped dead.
Note: Drop dead exaggerates the level of shock or surprise beyond a typical gasp.

Mind blown

To be astounded or overwhelmed by something, often intellectually.
Example: The magician's tricks left me with my mind blown.
Note: Mind blown denotes a profound sense of awe or realization beyond just a simple gasp.

Freak out

To react with extreme fear, shock, or panic to something.
Example: When she saw the spider, she totally freaked out.
Note: Freak out implies a more panicked or hysterical reaction compared to a calm gasp of surprise.

Speechless

To be unable to speak due to shock, amazement, or disbelief.
Example: The news left me utterly speechless; I didn't know how to react.
Note: Speechless emphasizes the inability to form words or articulate a response beyond a simple gasp.

Stunned

To be shocked into immobility or lack of reaction due to surprise or disbelief.
Example: I was stunned when they announced I had won the competition.
Note: Stunned suggests being temporarily paralyzed by the shock or surprise, going beyond a mere gasp.

Gasp - Examples

Gasp for air.
She let out a gasp of surprise.
The view took my breath away and I gasped in amazement.

Gasp grammar

Gasp - Noun (Noun) / Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass)
Lemma: gasp
Conjugations
Noun, plural (Noun, plural): gasps
Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass): gasp
Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): gasped
Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): gasping
Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): gasps
Verb, base form (Verb, base form): gasp
Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): gasp
Syllables, Separation and Stress
gasp Contains 1 syllables: gasp
Phonetic transcription: ˈgasp
gasp , ˈgasp (The red syllable is stressed)

Gasp - Importance and usage frequency

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
gasp: 800 - 900 (Extremely common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
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