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breathlessly

B2 adjective #11,000 よく出る 11分で読める

breathlessly

練習する例文メモとヒント breathlessly 30秒で

解説 breathlessly in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'breathlessly' might be a bit difficult because it is a long word. However, you can understand it by thinking about when you run very fast. When you run fast to catch a bus, you cannot speak easily. You are 'out of breath'. If you try to talk, you are talking 'breathlessly'. It means you are taking many small breaths while you speak. You might use this word when you are very, very happy or very, very scared. For example, if you see a beautiful puppy, you might say 'Look!' breathlessly. It is a word that shows you have a lot of energy in your body right now. You don't need to use it often at A1, but it is good to know it means 'with no breath' because you are tired or excited. Think of the word 'breath' and the word 'no'. It is 'no breath' speaking.

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At the A2 level, you can start to use 'breathlessly' to describe people in stories. It is an adverb, which means it describes how someone does an action. Most of the time, it describes how someone speaks or how they wait. Imagine you are playing a game of tag. You run and run. When you stop, you tell your friend 'I won!' breathlessly. You are using your energy and your breath is coming fast. You can also use it for feelings. If you are waiting for a very important phone call, you might wait breathlessly. This means you are so focused and excited that you are holding your breath a little bit. It is a great word to make your English sound more descriptive. Instead of just saying 'He spoke', you can say 'He spoke breathlessly'. This tells the listener that the person was either running or very excited.

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At the B1 level, you should understand both the physical and emotional meanings of 'breathlessly'. Physically, it describes the state after exertion—like running up stairs or finishing a race. Emotionally, it describes being overwhelmed by a feeling. You might hear it in movies when a character is in love or in danger. For example, 'She whispered breathlessly that she loved him.' This shows a high level of emotion. You should also notice how the word is formed: 'breath' + 'less' + 'ly'. The 'less' part means 'without', but in this case, it means your breathing is not normal or calm. When you write stories, 'breathlessly' helps you 'show' a character's state rather than 'telling' it. Instead of writing 'He was excited', you can write 'He told the news breathlessly'. This is a more advanced way to express yourself.

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At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'breathlessly' with precision and understand its figurative use in media and literature. It is often used to describe a certain style of reporting or storytelling that is designed to create excitement or 'hype'. For instance, 'The media reported breathlessly on the new technology.' This implies the reporting was perhaps too excited and lacked a calm, critical view. You should also be comfortable using it to describe suspense. 'The audience watched breathlessly as the acrobat performed the final stunt.' Here, it conveys a collective tension. At this level, you should also be careful not to confuse it with the adjective 'breathless'. You use 'breathlessly' to modify verbs (spoke, ran, waited) and 'breathless' to describe nouns (The breathless runner). Mastering this distinction is key to professional and academic writing.

At the C1 level, you should appreciate the stylistic nuances of 'breathlessly'. It can be used to create a specific pace in your prose. Because the word itself is multi-syllabic and ends in a soft 'ly', it can actually mimic the sound of a gasp when read aloud. You might use it to critique sensationalism in journalism or to describe a profound, almost spiritual experience of awe. 'The pilgrims stood breathlessly before the ancient temple.' This suggests a level of reverence that transcends simple excitement. You should also be able to recognize when 'breathlessly' is being used ironically or to imply a lack of substance—where the 'breathlessness' of the delivery is hiding a lack of actual news or depth. In your own writing, you can use it to modulate the intensity of a scene, knowing that its placement can significantly affect the reader's perception of a character's urgency.

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At the C2 level, 'breathlessly' becomes a tool for sophisticated narrative control. You can use it to explore the intersection of physiology and psychology. It might describe the 'breathless' pace of modern life, where actions are performed with a frantic energy that precludes reflection. You can use it in literary analysis to discuss how an author uses adverbial modifiers to create atmosphere or to characterize the 'unreliable narrator' who reports events too breathlessly to be objective. At this level, you understand the word's historical resonance in Romantic literature, where it often signaled a moment of sublime encounter with nature or the divine. Your usage should be effortless, choosing 'breathlessly' only when its specific blend of physical urgency and emotional weight is the exact 'color' needed for your linguistic palette.

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練習する例文メモとヒント

breathlessly 30秒で

Primarily used to describe speaking or waiting while physically out of breath due to running or exercise.
Commonly used figuratively to describe intense emotions like extreme excitement, fear, or romantic thrill.
Frequently found in journalism and storytelling to create a sense of urgency, suspense, or sensationalism.
Functions as an adverb, typically following verbs of communication or anticipation to add descriptive depth.

The word breathlessly is a powerful adverb that describes an action performed while struggling to breathe or in a state of intense agitation. Primarily, it functions to illustrate the physical state of a person whose respiratory system is taxed by exertion. Imagine a runner crossing a finish line; they don't just speak, they speak breathlessly. This physical manifestation is the most literal application of the term, rooted in the biological necessity of oxygen intake after high-intensity activity. However, the true depth of the word lies in its figurative applications. It captures the essence of human emotion when it reaches a peak—whether that peak is fear, excitement, or profound awe. When someone tells a secret they’ve been holding onto, or when a child recounts a magical experience, they often do so breathlessly, their words tumbling out faster than their lungs can keep up with. In literature and journalism, it is frequently employed to describe a style of delivery that is hurried, sensationalized, or filled with an almost nervous energy. It suggests a lack of pause, a lack of composure, and an overwhelming urgency that demands the listener's immediate and undivided attention.

Physical Exertion: This refers to the literal state of being short of breath. It is used when the body is recovering from heavy labor, running, or any cardiovascular stress. The adverb modifies verbs like 'spoke', 'whispered', or 'announced' to show the physical struggle behind the communication.
Emotional Intensity: When the heart beats faster due to panic, anxiety, or romantic thrill, the breathing pattern changes. To do something breathlessly in this context implies that the emotion is so strong it has bypassed the person's usual control over their breath.
Figurative Anticipation: Commonly used in media and storytelling to describe the way news is presented or a story is awaited. It suggests a 'bated breath' quality—a collective state of waiting where everyone is so focused they seem to have forgotten to breathe.

"The young reporter delivered the breaking news breathlessly, her voice trembling with the weight of the revelation."

In a broader sense, the word is a staple of romantic and gothic literature. Characters often watch breathlessly as a hero approaches, or they wait breathlessly for a letter that might change their lives. It conveys a sense of vulnerability and total immersion in the moment. In modern usage, it has taken on a slightly critical edge when applied to journalism; a 'breathlessly reported' story might be seen as lacking objective distance or being overly dramatic. This nuance is important for B2 level learners to grasp: while it often describes a positive or neutral physical state, it can also imply a lack of critical thinking or a surrender to hype. Whether it’s a marathon runner or a star-struck fan, the word always points to a moment where the internal state of the person is so intense that it disrupts the most basic of human functions: breathing.

Understanding the rhythm of this word is key. It consists of the root 'breath', the suffix '-less' (meaning without), and the adverbial suffix '-ly'. While it literally suggests 'without breath', it rarely means a total absence of air, but rather a disruption of its steady flow. This distinction is vital for accurate usage in complex narratives where physiological realism meets emotional hyperbole.

Integrating breathlessly into your vocabulary requires an understanding of its placement and the verbs it typically modifies. Because it is an adverb of manner, it most frequently follows the verb it describes, though it can occasionally precede it for stylistic emphasis. The most common pairings involve verbs of communication—speaking, whispering, shouting, reporting—and verbs of observation or waiting—watching, waiting, listening. When you use it, you are providing a secondary layer of information: not just what happened, but the physiological and emotional atmosphere surrounding the action.

After Speech Verbs: 'I found it!' he cried breathlessly. This is the standard placement. It indicates that the speaker's excitement or exertion is audible through their voice.
Modifying Verbs of Anticipation: The audience waited breathlessly for the curtain to rise. Here, the adverb describes a collective state of suspense where the physical act of breathing is almost suspended by focus.
Journalistic and Descriptive Use: The tabloids reported breathlessly on the celebrity's secret wedding. This usage implies a fast-paced, perhaps overly excited style of writing that aims to create hype.

"She ran up the five flights of stairs and, arriving at the door, breathlessly explained that she had lost her keys."

To use the word effectively at a B2 level, consider the 'why'. Is the character breathless because they ran? Or because they are terrified? The context around the sentence must make this clear. If you use 'breathlessly' without a clear cause, the reader might be confused about the character's state. For example, 'He ate his dinner breathlessly' sounds strange unless you establish that he is in an incredible hurry or is eating something so spicy it’s taking his breath away. It is also important to distinguish between 'breathlessly' and 'breathless'. While 'breathless' is an adjective ('He was breathless'), 'breathlessly' describes the action. You wouldn't say 'He ran breathless'; you would say 'He ran breathlessly' or 'He was breathless after the run'.

Furthermore, consider the sensory details. When someone speaks breathlessly, their words might be broken up by short gasps. In your writing, you can reflect this with punctuation, such as ellipses or dashes. 'I... I can't... believe it,' she said breathlessly. The adverb confirms the physical reality suggested by the punctuation, creating a cohesive and immersive experience for the reader. This level of descriptive harmony is what separates a proficient user of English from a basic one.

While breathlessly is a common fixture in literature, it also appears frequently in specific real-world contexts. Understanding these 'habitats' for the word helps you recognize the tone being set. You are likely to encounter it in sports commentary, dramatic news reporting, cinematic descriptions, and high-stakes personal anecdotes. It is a word of the 'moment'—it rarely describes long-term states, but rather immediate, high-energy occurrences.

Sports Commentary: Commentators often describe an athlete's post-game interview as being given breathlessly. It emphasizes the physical toll of the competition and the raw emotion of a win or loss.
Entertainment News: Pop culture websites and TV segments often report breathlessly on the latest rumors. Here, the word is used to describe the fast-paced, sensationalized nature of the industry.
Fiction and Audiobooks: Narrators will use a 'breathless' tone to convey suspense. In thriller novels, the protagonist might watch breathlessly as a villain searches their hiding spot.

"The tech world is breathlessly awaiting the launch of the new AI model, with rumors circulating about its unprecedented capabilities."

In casual conversation, you might hear it when a friend is telling a story about a close call or a very exciting event. 'And then, she told me—I'm telling you this breathlessly because it was so crazy—that they're moving to Japan!' While people don't always use the word itself in speech as much as they act out the state, the adverb is the perfect tool to describe that behavior in writing. In the corporate world, it might be used to describe a project that is being rushed through with high energy but perhaps a lack of careful planning: 'We are moving breathlessly toward the deadline, and I worry we might miss some details.'

Finally, the word is a favorite in 'prestige' journalism when describing public reaction. 'The city waited breathlessly for the election results.' This usage elevates the event, suggesting that the entire population was gripped by a single, focused emotion. It creates a sense of shared experience and high drama, making the reader feel the weight of the moment. By recognizing these contexts, you can better understand whether the speaker is trying to convey literal exhaustion or is simply using the word to create a sense of excitement and importance.

While breathlessly is a versatile word, learners often encounter specific pitfalls when trying to master its usage. These mistakes usually fall into three categories: grammatical confusion between the adverb and adjective, over-dramatization, and incorrect contextual application. Understanding these nuances is crucial for reaching a B2 level of proficiency, where precision in descriptive language becomes a key marker of fluency.

Confusing Adverb and Adjective: The most common error is using 'breathlessly' where 'breathless' is required. Remember: 'breathless' describes a noun (The runner was breathless), while 'breathlessly' describes an action (The runner spoke breathlessly). You cannot say 'He was breathlessly'—this is grammatically incorrect.
Misapplying the 'Excitement' Aspect: Sometimes learners use 'breathlessly' for any kind of fast action. However, 'breathlessly' implies a specific physiological response. If someone is just moving fast but is calm and efficient, 'quickly' or 'efficiently' is better. 'Breathlessly' requires an element of struggle or high emotion.
Redundancy: Avoid using it with verbs that already imply the state, unless you want extreme emphasis. For example, 'He panted breathlessly' is somewhat redundant because panting is the act of breathing breathlessly. 'He spoke breathlessly' is much more effective.

"Incorrect: He arrived breathlessy and sat down. Correct: He arrived breathlessly and sat down." (Note the spelling: two 's' letters before the 'ly').

Another mistake involves the tone. Because 'breathlessly' is a very 'strong' word, using it in a mundane context can sound sarcastic or unintentional. 'She told me breathlessly that she had bought some milk' sounds like she is either incredibly excited about milk or has a serious health issue. Use it when the situation warrants high energy. Furthermore, be careful with the spelling. It is derived from 'breath' (noun) + 'less' (suffix) + 'ly' (suffix). Many learners forget the 'e' in 'breath' or one of the 's's in 'less'.

Finally, avoid using 'breathlessly' to mean 'silently'. While someone waiting 'breathlessly' might be silent, the word describes the tension of the breath, not the absence of sound. If you mean they made no noise, 'silently' or 'quietly' are the correct choices. 'Breathlessly' is about the internal engine of the body working overtime, often visibly or audibly.

To truly master breathlessly, you must know how it compares to its synonyms. English is rich with adverbs that describe speed and emotion, and choosing the right one can change the entire mood of a sentence. While 'breathlessly' captures a unique mix of physical and emotional intensity, other words might be more appropriate depending on whether you want to emphasize the speed, the eagerness, or the fear.

Breathlessly vs. Eagerly: 'Eagerly' implies a positive, focused desire (He eagerly opened the gift). 'Breathlessly' adds a layer of physical agitation or overwhelming excitement that might even be slightly uncomfortable.
Breathlessly vs. Hurriedly: 'Hurriedly' focuses on the speed of the action (She hurriedly packed her bags). 'Breathlessly' focuses on the state of the person performing the action. You can do something hurriedly without being breathless.
Breathlessly vs. Agitatedly: 'Agitatedly' implies nervousness or worry. While 'breathlessly' can involve these emotions, it is often more 'awe-struck' or 'physically spent' than purely nervous.

"While he spoke breathlessly due to the climb, she listened intently, her own breathing steady and calm."

Other alternatives include 'panting', 'gasping', or 'with bated breath'. 'With bated breath' is an idiom that is almost identical to 'breathlessly' in its figurative sense of waiting for something important. However, 'breathlessly' is more versatile as it can also describe speech and movement. If you want to emphasize the sound of the breath, 'gaspingly' is a more visceral, though less common, alternative. For a more literary feel, you might use 'feverishly', which suggests a similar high-energy, almost desperate state, though often applied to work or creative effort rather than physical movement.

In summary, choose 'breathlessly' when you want to bridge the gap between the body and the mind. It is the perfect word for those moments where our physical responses—our heartbeat and our lungs—betray our inner excitement or the effort we’ve just put in. By contrasting it with 'calmly', 'steadily', or 'leisurely', you can highlight the intensity of a specific moment in your narrative or conversation.

How Formal Is It?

豆知識

The transition of 'breath' from meaning 'a smell' to 'the act of respiration' reflects how ancient people associated the air coming out of a person with their essence or spirit.

発音ガイド

UK /ˈbreθ.ləs.li/

US /ˈbreθ.ləs.li/

BRETH-less-ly

韻が合う語

deathlessly restlessly recklessly fecklessly relentlessly (partial) effortlessly (partial) helplessly (partial) selflessly (partial)

よくある間違い

Pronouncing 'breath' like 'breathe' (long 'e' sound). It should be a short 'e'.
Adding an extra syllable like 'breath-ed-ly'.
Merging the 's' sounds into one 's' instead of 'ss'.
Misplacing the stress on 'less'.
Dropping the 'th' sound entirely.

難易度

読解 3/5

Easy to recognize the root word 'breath', but the suffixes add complexity.

ライティング 4/5

Spelling (double 's') and correct adverbial placement can be tricky.

スピーキング 4/5

Requires good control of the 'th' and 's' sounds in sequence.

リスニング 3/5

Usually clear in context, though can be confused with 'breathless' in fast speech.

次に学ぶべきこと

前提知識

breath breathe less excited quick

次に学ぶ

agitatedly feverishly suspense exertion sensationalism

上級

dyspnea hyperventilation staccato palpitations vicariously

知っておくべき文法

Adverb Formation from Adjectives

Breathless (Adj) + ly = Breathlessly (Adv). Note that for adjectives ending in 'less', we simply add 'ly'.

Adverb Placement for Manner

He spoke breathlessly (after verb) OR He breathlessly spoke (before verb for emphasis).

Adverbs of Intensity

Breathlessly can act as an intensifier for verbs of waiting or watching.

Distinguishing Adverbs and Adjectives

She was breathless (Adj). She ran breathlessly (Adv).

Punctuation with Direct Speech

'I'm here!' he said breathlessly. (Comma inside quotes, adverb after the speech tag).

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レベル別の例文

He ran to the bus and spoke breathlessly to the driver.

Il a couru vers le bus et a parlé d'un ton essoufflé au chauffeur.

Adverb modifying the verb 'spoke'.

The child said 'Look!' breathlessly when she saw the cake.

L'enfant a dit « Regarde ! » d'un ton haletant en voyant le gâteau.

Shows excitement.

I am waiting breathlessly for my birthday gift.

J'attends avec impatience mon cadeau d'anniversaire.

Used for waiting with excitement.

They watched the cat jump breathlessly.

Ils ont regardé le chat sauter en retenant leur souffle.

Describes how they watched.

She ran up the stairs and called my name breathlessly.

Elle a monté les escaliers en courant et a appelé mon nom tout essoufflée.

Physical exertion.

He told the secret breathlessly to his best friend.

Il a raconté le secret d'un trait à son meilleur ami.

Emotional intensity.

The dog ran breathlessly back to its owner.

Le chien est revenu vers son maître tout essoufflé.

Physical state after running.

We waited breathlessly for the teacher to enter.

Nous avons attendu avec impatience que le professeur entre.

Suspense in a simple context.

After the long race, the winner spoke breathlessly to the reporters.

Après la longue course, le vainqueur a parlé d'un ton essoufflé aux journalistes.

Adverb of manner.

She breathlessly recounted the story of how she got lost.

Elle a raconté d'un trait l'histoire de comment elle s'est perdue.

Placement before the verb for emphasis.

The fans waited breathlessly for the singer to appear on stage.

Les fans attendaient avec impatience que le chanteur apparaisse sur scène.

Collective anticipation.

He arrived at the meeting breathlessly, apologizing for being late.

Il est arrivé à la réunion tout essoufflé, s'excusant de son retard.

Physical state and action.

'We won!' the team captain shouted breathlessly.

« Nous avons gagné ! » a crié le capitaine de l'équipe, tout essoufflé.

Direct speech modifier.

The children watched breathlessly as the magician pulled a rabbit from the hat.

Les enfants regardaient avec émerveillement le magicien sortir un lapin du chapeau.

Awe and excitement.

She opened the letter breathlessly, hoping for good news.

Elle a ouvert la lettre avec impatience, espérant de bonnes nouvelles.

Nervous anticipation.

He ran breathlessly through the rain to find shelter.

Il a couru tout essoufflé sous la pluie pour trouver un abri.

Physical effort in adverse conditions.

The young girl breathlessly described the mountain she had just climbed.

La jeune fille a décrit d'un ton haletant la montagne qu'elle venait de gravir.

Combining physical and emotional states.

They stood breathlessly on the edge of the cliff, looking at the view.

Ils se tenaient là, le souffle coupé, au bord de la falaise, regardant la vue.

Awe-inspired stillness.

The narrator spoke breathlessly during the most exciting part of the story.

Le narrateur a parlé d'un ton haletant pendant la partie la plus excitante de l'histoire.

Narrative pacing.

He asked her to marry him breathlessly, his heart pounding in his chest.

Il lui a demandé sa main d'un ton haletant, le cœur battant à tout rompre.

Extreme emotional intensity.

The news of the discovery was breathlessly reported across the country.

La nouvelle de la découverte a été rapportée avec enthousiasme dans tout le pays.

Passive voice with adverbial modification.

She waited breathlessly by the phone for the results of her exam.

Elle attendait avec anxiété près du téléphone les résultats de son examen.

Anxious anticipation.

The hikers arrived at the summit breathlessly but happy.

Les randonneurs sont arrivés au sommet essoufflés mais heureux.

Adverb used to describe the manner of arrival.

He explained breathlessly that the car had broken down on the highway.

Il a expliqué d'un trait que la voiture était tombée en panne sur l'autoroute.

Urgency and stress.

The tabloids breathlessly speculated about the celebrity's private life.

Les tabloïds spéculaient avec acharnement sur la vie privée de la célébrité.

Figurative use in media context.

The audience watched breathlessly as the tightrope walker neared the platform.

Le public regardait avec angoisse le funambule s'approcher de la plate-forme.

Tension and suspense.

She burst into the room and breathlessly announced that the project was approved.

Elle a fait irruption dans la pièce et a annoncé tout essoufflée que le projet était approuvé.

Sudden action and high energy.

He spoke breathlessly, his words tripping over each other in his haste.

Il parlait d'un ton haletant, ses mots se bousculant dans sa hâte.

Descriptive of a specific speech pattern.

The startup's progress was breathlessly chronicled by the tech press.

Les progrès de la startup étaient relatés avec enthousiasme par la presse technologique.

Journalistic style.

They waited breathlessly for the final seconds of the game to tick away.

Ils attendaient avec impatience que les dernières secondes du match s'écoulent.

High-stakes anticipation.

The novel's plot moves breathlessly from one crisis to the next.

L'intrigue du roman s'enchaîne à un rythme effréné d'une crise à l'autre.

Describing the pace of a narrative.

She watched breathlessly as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in gold.

Elle regardait avec émerveillement le soleil descendre sous l'horizon, peignant le ciel d'or.

Aesthetic appreciation and awe.

The critic noted that the film was breathlessly edited, perhaps to hide its thin plot.

Le critique a noté que le film était monté à un rythme effréné, peut-être pour masquer la pauvreté de son intrigue.

Technical/Critical application.

He recounted the harrowing experience breathlessly, the trauma still evident in his voice.

Il a raconté l'expérience éprouvante d'un ton haletant, le traumatisme étant encore évident dans sa voix.

Psychological depth.

The marketing campaign breathlessly promised a revolution that never materialized.

La campagne de marketing promettait avec fracas une révolution qui ne s'est jamais concrétisée.

Irony and skepticism.

The dancers moved breathlessly across the stage in a display of sheer athletic prowess.

Les danseurs se déplaçaient à un rythme effréné sur scène dans une démonstration de pure prouesse athlétique.

Focus on physicality and speed.

The world watched breathlessly as the first images from the deep-space telescope arrived.

Le monde entier a regardé avec émotion l'arrivée des premières images du télescope spatial.

Global significance.

She spoke breathlessly of her travels, as if trying to relive every second in a single sentence.

Elle parlait de ses voyages avec une telle animation qu'elle semblait vouloir revivre chaque seconde en une seule phrase.

Characterization through speech.

The report breathlessly details the potential risks without offering any concrete solutions.

Le rapport détaille de manière alarmiste les risques potentiels sans proposer de solutions concrètes.

Critique of style.

He waited breathlessly for the verdict, his entire future hanging in the balance.

Il attendait le verdict le souffle coupé, tout son avenir étant en jeu.

High-stakes drama.

The prose was breathlessly paced, mirroring the protagonist's descent into mania.

La prose était d'un rythme haletant, reflétant la descente du protagoniste dans la manie.

Literary device analysis.

In our modern age, we live breathlessly, rushing from one digital stimulus to the next.

À notre époque moderne, nous vivons à un rythme effréné, nous précipitant d'un stimulus numérique à l'autre.

Sociological commentary.

The philosopher argued that we only truly exist in those moments when we wait breathlessly for the unknown.

Le philosophe soutenait que nous n'existons véritablement que dans ces moments où nous attendons l'inconnu, le souffle coupé.

Abstract philosophical application.

The historical account breathlessly recreates the tension of the 1962 missile crisis.

Le récit historique recrée avec une intensité haletante la tension de la crise des missiles de 1962.

Reconstructive narrative style.

She gazed breathlessly at the masterpiece, feeling the weight of centuries in a single brushstroke.

Elle contemplait le chef-d'œuvre le souffle coupé, sentant le poids des siècles dans un seul coup de pinceau.

Sublime aesthetic experience.

The market breathlessly absorbed the news, leading to a period of unprecedented volatility.

Le marché a absorbé la nouvelle avec une fébrilité extrême, entraînant une période de volatilité sans précédent.

Economic personification.

He described the vision breathlessly, his language failing to capture the sheer scale of the epiphany.

Il décrivit la vision d'un trait, son langage ne parvenant pas à saisir l'ampleur de l'épiphanie.

Inexpressibility of experience.

The documentary breathlessly follows the scientists as they race against the melting ice caps.

Le documentaire suit avec une urgence haletante les scientifiques dans leur course contre la fonte des calottes glaciaires.

Urgency in documentary filmmaking.

類義語

gaspingly excitedly eagerly panting anxiously impatiently

反対語

calmly composedly leisurely

よく使う組み合わせ

wait breathlessly

speak breathlessly

report breathlessly

watch breathlessly

arrive breathlessly

whisper breathlessly

announce breathlessly

listen breathlessly

follow breathlessly

anticipate breathlessly

よく使うフレーズ

wait breathlessly for

— To wait with extreme excitement or anxiety.

We are waiting breathlessly for the results.

spoke so breathlessly

— Used to emphasize the speed and lack of breath in someone's speech.

He spoke so breathlessly that I could barely understand him.

reported breathlessly by

— Often used to describe sensationalist media coverage.

The scandal was reported breathlessly by the local papers.

running breathlessly

— The literal act of running until one is out of breath.

He was running breathlessly toward the finish line.

watched breathlessly as

— Describing the act of observing a high-stakes event.

The crowd watched breathlessly as the penalty was taken.

arrived breathlessly

— Arriving at a destination in a state of exhaustion.

She arrived breathlessly at the office after her car broke down.

recount breathlessly

— To tell a story very quickly and with great emotion.

He recounted the events of the night breathlessly.

stare breathlessly

— To look at something with such awe that you forget to breathe.

They stared breathlessly at the northern lights.

whisper breathlessly

— A low, hurried way of speaking often associated with romance or secrets.

She whispered breathlessly that they had to leave immediately.

wait breathlessly for news

— A common phrase for being in a state of high suspense about information.

The families waited breathlessly for news of the survivors.

よく混同される語

breathlessly vs breathless

An adjective describing the person (e.g., 'I am breathless'). 'Breathlessly' describes the action.

breathlessly vs breathe

A verb (the act of taking air). 'Breathlessly' is the adverbial form of the lack of it.

breathlessly vs restlessly

Means unable to stay still. While you can be both, 'breathlessly' is specifically about breathing.

慣用句と表現

"with bated breath"

— In a state of great anticipation or suspense; very similar to waiting breathlessly.

The fans waited with bated breath for the touchdown.

literary/common

"take one's breath away"

— To be so beautiful or surprising that it causes someone to gasp.

The view from the top took her breath away.

informal/common

"catch one's breath"

— To stop and rest until breathing returns to normal.

He had to stop for a minute to catch his breath.

common

"under one's breath"

— To speak very quietly so that others cannot hear clearly.

He muttered a complaint under his breath.

common

"save your breath"

— Used to tell someone not to bother speaking because it won't change anything.

Save your breath; he's not going to listen to you.

informal

"a breath of fresh air"

— Something or someone new and refreshing.

His new ideas were a breath of fresh air for the company.

common

"in the same breath"

— To say two contradictory things almost at the same time.

He praised the movie and criticized the acting in the same breath.

common

"don't hold your breath"

— Used to say that something is unlikely to happen soon.

He said he'd call, but don't hold your breath.

informal

"breath of life"

— Something that is essential for someone to continue living or functioning.

Music was the breath of life to the young composer.

literary

"out of breath"

— Gasping for air after hard physical exercise.

I'm completely out of breath after those stairs.

common

間違えやすい

breathlessly vs breathless

Both come from the same root and describe the same state.

'Breathless' is an adjective (He was breathless). 'Breathlessly' is an adverb (He spoke breathlessly).

The breathless runner sat down. The runner spoke breathlessly.

breathlessly vs pantingly

Both describe being out of breath.

'Pantingly' is much more literal and focuses on the 'huh-huh' sound of breathing. 'Breathlessly' is more versatile and can be used for emotion.

He climbed the hill pantingly. She waited breathlessly for her lover.

breathlessly vs hurriedly

Both imply speed.

'Hurriedly' just means fast. 'Breathlessly' means fast AND out of breath.

I hurriedly ate my lunch. I ran breathlessly to catch the train.

breathlessly vs eagerly

Both describe excitement.

'Eagerly' is positive and calm. 'Breathlessly' is intense and physically taxing.

She eagerly awaited the mail. She breathlessly opened the letter.

breathlessly vs anxiously

Both can describe waiting.

'Anxiously' focuses on the worry. 'Breathlessly' focuses on the physical tension.

He waited anxiously for the test results. He waited breathlessly for the winner to be named.

文型パターン

Subject + Verb + breathlessly.

I ran breathlessly.

Subject + Verb + [direct speech] + breathlessly.

He said 'Hello' breathlessly.

Subject + breathlessly + Verb + Object.

She breathlessly told the secret.

The [Noun] + was breathlessly + Verb-ed.

The news was breathlessly reported.

Adverbial Phrase, Subject + Verb + breathlessly.

Arriving at the summit, the team stood breathlessly.

Subject + Verb + breathlessly, [Participle Phrase].

He spoke breathlessly, his voice cracking under the strain.

Wait/Watch + breathlessly + for/as...

They waited breathlessly for the results.

Subject + arrived + breathlessly + at + Place.

I arrived breathlessly at the station.

語族

名詞

breath

breather

breathlessness

動詞

breathe

形容詞

breathless

breathy

breathing

使い方

frequency

Common in narrative writing and journalism; moderate in daily speech.

よくある間違い

He was breathlessly. → He was breathless.
You cannot use an adverb after 'to be' to describe a noun. You need the adjective 'breathless'.
She spoke breathless. → She spoke breathlessly.
When describing how someone speaks (a verb), you must use the adverb form ending in '-ly'.
I breathlessly waited the bus. → I breathlessly waited for the bus.
'Wait' usually requires the preposition 'for' when followed by an object.
The news was breathlessly. → The news was breathless / The news was reported breathlessly.
'Breathlessly' needs a verb to modify. You can't just end a sentence with it like an adjective.
He ran breathly. → He ran breathlessly.
'Breathly' is not a word. The correct adverb is 'breathlessly', derived from 'breathless'.

ヒント

Use for Impact

Save 'breathlessly' for the climax of your story. If everyone is doing everything breathlessly, the word loses its power. Use it for the most intense moment.

Adverb vs Adjective

Remember the '-ly' rule. If you are describing the person, use 'breathless'. If you are describing the verb, use 'breathlessly'. 'He was breathless' vs 'He spoke breathlessly'.

The Double S

Always check your spelling. The suffix '-less' always has two 's' letters. Adding '-ly' makes it 'breathlessly'. It's a long word, so take it slow!

Soft TH

Keep the 'th' soft. It's 'breth', not 'breed'. Practicing the word 'breath' first will help you get the adverb right.

Journalistic Tone

In essays, you can use 'breathlessly' to criticize media that is too sensational. 'The media's breathlessly reported coverage lacked depth' is a great C1/C2 sentence.

Word Family

Learning 'breath', 'breathe', 'breathless', and 'breathlessly' together will help you understand how English builds words from roots.

Context Clues

If you hear 'breathlessly' in a movie, look at the character's face. Are they tired? Scared? Excited? This will help you learn the emotional range of the word.

Show, Don't Tell

Instead of saying 'She was very excited', say 'She breathlessly explained her plan'. It paints a much clearer picture for the reader.

Literary Analysis

When analyzing a book, look for 'breathlessly'. Authors use it to speed up the 'tempo' of a scene. It's a great observation to include in an English literature essay.

Pacing

In your own stories, use 'breathlessly' followed by short sentences. 'He arrived breathlessly. The door was locked. He was too late.' This creates a great sense of urgency.

暗記しよう

記憶術

Think of 'BREATH' + 'LESS' + 'LY'. If you have 'LESS' 'BREATH', you are speaking 'LY' (like) a tired runner. BREATH-LESS-LY.

視覚的連想

Imagine a marathon runner trying to give an interview right at the finish line. They are gasping for air, their chest is heaving, and they are speaking in short, broken sentences.

Word Web

Run Exhausted Excited Wait Speak Gasp Heartbeat Suspense

チャレンジ

Try to say the word 'breathlessly' three times while actually being out of breath after doing ten jumping jacks. Notice how the word itself feels like it requires a lot of air.

語源

Derived from the Old English 'bræth', which originally meant 'odor, scent, or exhalation'. The suffix '-less' comes from Old English '-leas', meaning 'devoid of' or 'without'. The adverbial suffix '-ly' comes from Old English '-lice', meaning 'in a manner'.

元の意味： Originally, 'breath' referred to the scent of something, but by the 14th century, it shifted to mean the air taken into and sent out of the lungs.

Germanic (Indo-European)

文化的な背景

Be careful when using it to describe someone with an actual medical condition (like asthma); 'struggling to breathe' is more respectful than the more dramatic 'breathlessly'.

Common in sports commentary and red-carpet celebrity interviews to emphasize the 'excitement' of the event.

The Great Gatsby (Fitzgerald) uses breathless descriptions to show the frantic energy of the 1920s. Many 1940s Film Noir movies feature characters speaking breathlessly during tense escape scenes. Modern tech blogs (like The Verge or TechCrunch) are often accused of reporting 'breathlessly' on minor updates.

実生活で練習する

実際の使用場面

After physical exercise

I'm sorry, I just ran here...
Give me a second to breathe...
He arrived breathlessly...
Speaking through gasps...

Reporting exciting news

You won't believe it!
They just announced...
Reporting breathlessly on...
The latest rumors suggest...

Watching a suspenseful movie

I can't watch!
What's going to happen?
Watching breathlessly...
The tension is huge...

Romantic encounters

He whispered in her ear...
She looked at him...
Waiting breathlessly for a kiss...
A breathless confession...

Academic/Literary analysis

The author uses adverbs to...
The pacing is breathlessly fast...
Creating an atmosphere of...
Reflecting the character's state...

会話のきっかけ

"Have you ever had to run so fast to catch a bus that you arrived breathlessly?"

"What is a movie that made you watch breathlessly until the very end?"

"When was the last time you were so excited you spoke breathlessly to someone?"

"Do you think news channels report too breathlessly on small events?"

"Have you ever waited breathlessly for a piece of news that changed your life?"

日記のテーマ

Describe a time you reached the top of a hill or mountain and stood breathlessly looking at the view.

Write about a secret you once had to tell someone breathlessly because you couldn't keep it in anymore.

Reflect on the 'breathless' pace of your daily life. Do you ever feel like you're moving too fast?

Imagine you are a reporter. Write a short, breathlessly reported article about a fictional discovery.

Describe the physical sensation of being breathless. How does your body feel when your heart is pounding?

よくある質問

10 問

It is an adverb. It describes how an action is performed. The adjective form is 'breathless'. For example, you would say 'She is breathless' (adjective) but 'She spoke breathlessly' (adverb).

Yes! It is often used for positive excitement, like waiting for a surprise, a romantic moment, or a great piece of news. It's not just for being tired or scared.

'Panting' is a verb or a participle that specifically describes the physical act of taking short, quick breaths. 'Breathlessly' is an adverb that can describe speech, waiting, or movement in that state.

It is 'breathlessly'. It has two 's' letters because it is 'breath' + 'less' + 'ly'. Make sure not to forget the second 's'!

Yes, figuratively. When people say 'the news reported breathlessly', they mean the reporting was very fast, excited, and maybe a bit too dramatic.

The 'th' is unvoiced, like the 'th' in 'think' or 'bath'. It is not a buzzing sound like the 'th' in 'the' or 'breathe'.

Yes, this is a very common and correct way to say that you arrived in a state of being out of breath from running or hurry.

It is neutral. It can be used in formal writing (like literature or academic analysis) and in informal stories. It is very versatile.

Not literally. It can mean you are holding your breath because you are so focused or excited. It's about the disruption of normal breathing.

'With bated breath' is an excellent idiomatic synonym for waiting or watching breathlessly in a suspenseful situation.

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