gasp
C1Neutral to Informal
Definition
Meaning
To take a sudden, sharp breath in, often with an open mouth, because of surprise, pain, shock, or difficulty breathing.
A sharp, involuntary intake of breath; to struggle for breath; to speak in a breathless, strained way; used metaphorically for a desperate, final effort (e.g., 'last gasp').
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word can describe both the physical action of breathing and the sound produced. As a noun, it often follows verbs like 'give', 'let out', or 'hear'. It implies a short, sudden action, not a prolonged state.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. The verb is used identically. The noun is slightly more frequent in British literary and media descriptions.
Connotations
Identical connotations of shock, pain, or breathlessness.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in UK English corpus data, but not statistically significant for learners.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
gasp (intransitive)gasp for [air/breath]gasp in/with [surprise/pain/shock]gasp at [sight/news]gasp + direct speech (e.g., 'No!' she gasped.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “last gasp (final moment or effort)”
- “gasp for air (struggle to breathe)”
- “gasp in awe (be amazed)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except metaphorically: 'The company made a last-gasp attempt to avoid bankruptcy.'
Academic
Rare in formal writing; may appear in literary analysis or medical texts describing respiratory distress.
Everyday
Common for describing reactions to news, physical exertion, or startling events.
Technical
Used in medical contexts (e.g., 'agonal gasping') and in diving/sports for breath control.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- There was a collective gasp from the audience at the plot twist.
- With his last gasp, he pushed the door shut.
American English
- A gasp went through the crowd when the lights went out.
- He scored the goal at the last gasp of the game.
verb
British English
- She gasped when she saw the price of the train ticket to London.
- He came up gasping from the cold water of the lake.
American English
- She gasped when she saw the price of the subway fare.
- He surfaced, gasping for air after the long swim.
adverb
British English
- 'Gaspingly' is rare but possible: 'He spoke gaspingly, exhausted from the run.'
American English
- 'Gaspingly' is very rare and literary.
adjective
British English
- 'Gasp-worthy' is an informal adjective for something shocking.
- The film had several gasp-inducing moments.
American English
- The stunt was gasp-inducing.
- She delivered a gasp-worthy performance.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The baby gasped when the cold wind blew.
- I heard a gasp in the dark room.
- She gasped in surprise at the birthday cake.
- After running, he was gasping for breath.
- A sharp gasp escaped her lips as she read the shocking headline.
- The climber gasped in the thin mountain air.
- The defendant gasped audibly upon hearing the guilty verdict, a sound that echoed in the silent courtroom.
- His theory, a last-gasp attempt to save his reputation, was met with scepticism.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a fish out of water: it GASPS for air. The word sounds like the action - a short, sharp 'gasp'.
Conceptual Metaphor
SURPRISE/PAIN IS A PHYSICAL IMPACT (forcing a sudden breath); DESPERATION IS BREATHLESSNESS.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'задыхаться' (to suffocate) which is a continuous state. 'Gasp' is a momentary action. Avoid using 'gasp' for a slow, deep sigh ('вздох').
Common Mistakes
- Using 'gasp' for a deliberate, deep breath. Incorrect: *'I gasped deeply before the dive.' Correct: 'I took a deep breath before the dive.'
- Using it as a direct translation for exclamations where no breath is involved.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'gasp' used CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Gasp' is a single, sudden intake of breath, often from shock or pain. 'Pant' is a series of quick, shallow breaths, usually from exertion or heat.
Yes, it can be used for any strong, sudden reaction that causes a sharp breath, including positive awe or wonder (e.g., 'gasp in awe at the beautiful painting').
Not always. While often used for desperate final efforts (e.g., 'last-gasp attempt to score'), it can be neutral, simply meaning 'the very end' (e.g., 'a goal in the last gasp of the match').
Yes, 'gasp out' is a common phrasal verb meaning to say something while struggling for breath or while gasping.