What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
breathlessness
Example
After running for a long time, he experienced breathlessness and had to stop. [breathlessness: noun]
Example
She felt a sense of breathlessness as she climbed the steep hill. [breathlessness: noun]
dyspnea
Example
The patient complained of dyspnea and was immediately given oxygen. [dyspnea: noun]
Example
He experiences dyspnea even when performing simple tasks like walking. [dyspnea: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Breathlessness is more commonly used than dyspnea in everyday language. Breathlessness is a versatile term that can be used in various contexts, while dyspnea is primarily used in medical or clinical settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between breathlessness and dyspnea?
While breathlessness is commonly used in informal conversations, dyspnea is a more formal term typically used by healthcare professionals or in medical contexts.