Word
gasp
US/ˈɡæsp/
UK/ɡˈɑːsp/
Definitions
01from shock or surprise
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to take a quick, deep breath because you are very surprised, shocked, or hurt.
v. to inhale suddenly and sharply, typically as an involuntary reaction to shock, surprise, or physical pain.
“The audience gasped when the magician suddenly disappeared from the stage.”
“The crowd gasped in collective disbelief as the underdog athlete surged past the world champion in the final ten metres of the race.”
Antonyms
02struggling for air
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to breathe quickly and with difficulty, especially after running or when you are very hot.
v. to breathe laboriously or convulsively, often due to physical exertion or a lack of oxygen.
“He was gasping for breath after running up the five flights of stairs.”
“Emerging from the smoke-filled corridor, the firefighters were gasping for fresh air as they removed their heavy oxygen masks.”
03a sudden breath
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. the act or sound of breathing in suddenly.
n. a convulsive or sudden intake of breath.
“There was a loud gasp from the back of the room when the news was announced.”
“A sharp gasp escaped her lips as she realised she had left her passport on the kitchen counter.”
Synonyms
Usage
Often followed by the preposition 'at' or 'in' (e.g., 'gasp at the news', 'gasp in horror').
Real-World Examples
“Some of the crowd gasped as the sight came into view.” “When French dancer Sofiane Chalal gets on stage, people often gasp.” Etymology
From Middle English gaspen, gayspen (“to gape, outbreathe”), related to and likely derived from Old Norse geispa (“to yawn”) or its descendant Danish gispe, which may be related to gapa (“to gape”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/gasp