1. gasping for breath, typically due to exertion: "the climb left me breathless"Similarout of breathpantingpuffinggasping (for breath)huffing and puffingpuffing and blowingpuffedpuffed outgulping (for breath)wheezingwheezychokingwindedshort of breathshort-windedexhaustedtired outinformal:out of puff
▪ short of breath or appearing this way because of excitement or other strong feelings: "her breathless account of what happened in the courtroom"Similaragogall agogeagerexpectantopen-mouthedwaiting with bated breathon the edge of one's seaton tenterhooksin suspenseon pins and needleson edgeexcitedimpatient
▪ (of the air or weather) unstirred by a wind or breeze; stiflingly still:"the warm, breathless air"