# gasp

> English word · Verb · IPA /ɡɑːsp/ · frequency rank #16,030

## Definitions
1. To draw in the breath suddenly, as if from a shock.
2. To breathe quickly or in a labored manner, as after exertion; to respire with heaving of the breast; to pant.
3. To speak in a breathless manner.
4. To pant with eagerness or excitement; to show vehement desire.

## Etymology
From Middle English gaspen, gayspen (“to gape, outbreathe”), related to and likely derived from Old Norse geispa (“to yawn”) or its descendant Danish gispe, which may be related to gapa (“to gape”).

## Easily confused with
- **GP** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gasp-vs-gp)
- **GS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gasp-vs-gs)
- **Gay** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gasp-vs-gay)
- **GOP** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gasp-vs-gop)
- **GPS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gasp-vs-gps)
- **GDP** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gasp-vs-gdp)
- **Gus** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gasp-vs-gus)
- **GST** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gasp-vs-gst)
- **GSM** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gasp-vs-gsm)
- **Gaz** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gasp-vs-gaz)
- **gms** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gasp-vs-gms)
- **GSA** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gasp-vs-gsa)
- **GTS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gasp-vs-gts)
- **GMP** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gasp-vs-gmp)
- **gat** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gasp-vs-gat)
- **GSP** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gasp-vs-gsp)
- **GBS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gasp-vs-gbs)
- **GCS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gasp-vs-gcs)
- **gave** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gasp-vs-gave)
- **grip** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gasp-vs-grip)

## Common misspellings (5)
`agsp`, `gaspp`, `gassp`, `ggasp`, `gsap`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/gasp