gasps
Translation
sharp intakes of breath, pants
Examples
There were gasps of surprise from the audience.
There were gasps of surprise from the audience.
Grammar Patterns
((of sth.)) a sharp intake of breath caused by (sth.) There were gasps of surprise from the audience.
Similar Words
Synonyms: pants, puffs, gulps
Etymology
Plural of the noun 'gasp'. Possibly of onomatopoeic origin, imitating the sound of a sharp intake of breath.
Memory Tips
Think of the collective sound an audience makes when something shocking happens – 'gasps' of surprise.