Wheeze: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ˜ท
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wheeze

 

[ wiหz ]

Verb / Noun
Context #1 | Verb

sound

To breathe with difficulty, producing a whistling sound. It is often associated with respiratory issues or laughter.

Synonyms

gasp, pant.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
wheeze

This is often used when someone has difficulty breathing, typically making a high-pitched whistling sound. It can be due to asthma, allergies, or other respiratory issues.

  • After running the marathon, he began to wheeze and had to use his inhaler.
  • The old man wheezed heavily as he climbed the stairs.
pant

This is generally used to describe heavy, often rapid breathing, usually after physical exertion or in situations of extreme heat. It can also indicate anxiety or excitement.

  • The dog panted heavily after running around the park.
  • He was panting from running up the hill to catch the bus.
gasp

This is typically used when someone suddenly takes a sharp breath, often because of surprise, fear, or pain. It's an involuntary action and usually indicates a strong emotional response.

  • She gasped when she saw the surprise birthday party.
  • The audience gasped in shock as the magician performed his trick.

Examples of usage

  • The old man wheezed as he struggled to climb the stairs.
  • She couldn't stop wheezing after laughing so hard at the joke.
Context #2 | Noun

medical

A high-pitched whistling sound made while breathing, often indicating a respiratory condition.

Synonyms

rasp, whistle.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
wheeze

This word is often used when someone has difficulty breathing, typically due to asthma or another respiratory issue. It conveys a sense of labored, irregular breathing.

  • He started to wheeze after running up the stairs.
  • Her asthma caused her to wheeze during cold weather.
whistle

This term is typically used for a high-pitched, clear sound produced inadvertently by someone, often when breathing through a constricted airway. It can sometimes be associated with certain lung conditions.

  • She could hear a faint whistle every time he exhaled.
  • The childโ€™s cold caused a slight whistle in his breathing.
rasp

Use this word when describing a harsh, grating sound in breathing or speaking. It can indicate a problem with the throat or vocal cords and often has a negative or uncomfortable connotation.

  • He spoke with a rasp in his voice after a long day of shouting.
  • The old manโ€™s breath had a nasty rasp to it.

Examples of usage

  • The doctor listened to the patient's chest and heard a wheeze.

Translations

Translations of the word "wheeze" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น chiado

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคธเคพเคเคธ เคซเฅ‚เคฒเคจเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Keuchen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ mengiak

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ัะฒะธัั‚ัั‡ะต ะดะธั…ะฐะฝะฝั

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ ล›wiszczenie

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใœใ„ใœใ„

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท sifflement

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ sibilancia

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท hฤฑrฤฑltฤฑ

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์Œ•์Œ•๊ฑฐ๋ฆผ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุตููŠุฑ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ sรญpot

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ sipenie

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅ–˜ๆฏ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ piskanje

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ hvรฆsa

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ั‹ัา›ั‹ั€ั‹า›

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒกแƒฃแƒœแƒ—แƒฅแƒ•แƒ˜แƒก แƒจแƒ”แƒฌแƒงแƒ•แƒ”แƒขแƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ hฤฑrฤฑldama

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ sibilancia

Etymology

The word 'wheeze' originated from Middle English 'wesen' which meant to hiss or whistle. Over time, it evolved to its current usage in the English language. The term is commonly associated with breathing difficulties and respiratory conditions, reflecting its onomatopoeic nature in mimicking the sound produced.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #30,336 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.