SHORT-WINDED

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does short-winded mean? 

• SHORT-WINDED (adjective)
  The adjective SHORT-WINDED has 1 sense:

1. breathing laboriously or convulsively

  Familiarity information: SHORT-WINDED used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SHORT-WINDED (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Breathing laboriously or convulsively

Synonyms:

blown; pursy; short-winded; winded

Similar:

breathless; dyspneal; dyspneic; dyspnoeal; dyspnoeic (not breathing or able to breathe except with difficulty)

 Context examples 

I looked out for Mr. Barkis, but he was not there; and instead of him a fat, short-winded, merry-looking, little old man in black, with rusty little bunches of ribbons at the knees of his breeches, black stockings, and a broad-brimmed hat, came puffing up to the coach window, and said: Master Copperfield?

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

No—Gatsby turned out all right at the end; it is what preyed on Gatsby, what foul dust floated in the wake of his dreams that temporarily closed out my interest in the abortive sorrows and short-winded elations of men.

(The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald)