breathlessness

Everyday

1. Being short of breath and finding it hard to breathe, for example after running or because of illness. tree →
2. A feeling of great excitement or surprise, as if you cannot breathe. tree →

In the lessons

In health and PE lessons breathlessness after exercise is normal; it shows the body needs more oxygen. But sudden breathlessness when resting, or with asthma, needs help from an adult or doctor. In stories it shows fear, excitement or tiredness. Adjective: breathless.

Examples

• After the race I felt a bit of breathlessness. tree →
• Breathlessness can be a sign of an asthma attack. tree →
• The doctor asked about Grandma's breathlessness. tree →
• The climbers felt breathlessness high on the mountain. tree →
• In the story her breathlessness came from excitement. tree →
• Tell an adult if breathlessness doesn't go away. tree →

Note

breath + less + ness. Spelling: «breath» is the noun (say «breth»), «breathe» is the verb. Uncountable. Adjective «breathless», adverb «breathlessly».