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Definition of gasp verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

gasp

verb
 
/ɡɑːsp/
 
/ɡæsp/
Verb Forms
present simple I / you / we / they gasp
 
/ɡɑːsp/
 
/ɡæsp/
he / she / it gasps
 
/ɡɑːsps/
 
/ɡæsps/
past simple gasped
 
/ɡɑːspt/
 
/ɡæspt/
past participle gasped
 
/ɡɑːspt/
 
/ɡæspt/
-ing form gasping
 
/ˈɡɑːspɪŋ/
 
/ˈɡæspɪŋ/
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  1. [intransitive, transitive] to take a quick deep breath with your mouth open, especially because you are surprised or in pain
    • gasp (at something) She gasped at the wonderful view.
    • They gasped in astonishment at the news.
    • + speech ‘What was that noise?’ he gasped.
    Extra Examples
    • The cold made her gasp.
    • Denis almost gasped aloud in astonishment.
    • She gasped at his boldness.
    • She was gasping with pain.
    Topics Feelingsc1
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • almost
    • suddenly
    • aloud
    verb + gasp
    • make somebody
    • manage to
    preposition
    • at
    • in
    • with
    phrases
    • gasp for air
    • gasp for breath
    • leave somebody gasping
    See full entry
  2. [intransitive, transitive] to have difficulty breathing or speaking
    • gasp (for something) He came to the surface of the water gasping for air.
    • gasp (something) (out) She managed to gasp out her name.
    • + speech ‘Can't breathe,’ he gasped.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • almost
    • suddenly
    • aloud
    verb + gasp
    • make somebody
    • manage to
    preposition
    • at
    • in
    • with
    phrases
    • gasp for air
    • gasp for breath
    • leave somebody gasping
    See full entry
  3. be gasping (for something) [intransitive] (British English, informal) to want or need something very badly, especially a drink or a cigarette
  4. Word Originlate Middle English: from Old Norse geispa ‘to yawn’.
See gasp in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
trait
noun
 
 
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