What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
gasping
Example
After running the marathon, he was gasping for air. [gasping: verb]
Example
She let out a gasping cry when she saw the car accident. [gasping: adjective]
breathless
Example
She was left breathless after climbing the stairs to the top of the tower. [breathless: adjective]
Example
The beauty of the sunset left him breathless. [breathless: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Breathless is more commonly used than gasping in everyday language. Breathless is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while gasping is less common and is usually associated with negative situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between gasping and breathless?
Both gasping and breathless are informal words and are not typically used in formal contexts.
