What Is Shortness of Breath? Definition & Causes

Meaning 1：breathlessness (Shortness of breath)

Shortness of breath 🔊

/ˈʃɔːrtnəs əv breθ/

Feeling like you can't get enough air, often happening after exercise or due to being ill.

breathlessness 🔊

➕

/ˈbreθləsnəs/

A condition characterized by a feeling of being unable to breathe deeply or get enough air, often caused by exertion, illness, or anxiety.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Shortness from 'short' + '-ness'; 'breath' from Old English 'brǣþ'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'short' + 'breath' → you have a short supply of breath.

📖 Example

After climbing just two flights of stairs, my grandmother experienced some shortness of breath and needed to rest. 🔊 After climbing just two flights of stairs, my grandmother experienced some shortness of breath and needed to rest.

🔗 Collocations

experience shortness of breath – to feel difficulty in breathing

suffer from shortness of breath – to have persistent breathing difficulty

shortness of breath after exercise – breathing difficulty following physical activity

🔄 Synonyms

dyspnea (n.) – A medical term for difficulty breathing

panting (n.) – Breathing with short, quick breaths, often after exertion

🚫 Antonyms

deep breathing (n.) – Full, easy breaths without any restriction

🌱 Derivatives

short (adj.) – not long in length, duration, or supply

breath (n.) – the air inhaled and exhaled in respiration

📖 Cultural Story

Commonly used in medical and everyday contexts to describe the sensation of not getting enough air, often after exercise or due to illness like asthma.