shallow breathing

Meaning

1. 1noununcountablemedical

   A way of breathing in which only small amounts of air are drawn in, using the upper chest instead of filling the lungs fully.

   Grammar: Usually has no article or plural: shallow breathing is common when we are anxious.

   Patterns

   • signs of shallow breathing
   • shallow breathing during something

   The nurse noticed his shallow breathing and called the doctor.

   Shallow breathing often happens when people feel panicked.

   Slow, deep breaths can replace shallow breathing and help you relax.

Common combinations

rapid shallow breathing

The patient showed rapid shallow breathing after the climb.

notice shallow breathing

Parents often notice shallow breathing in a sleeping baby.

cause shallow breathing

Chest pain can cause shallow breathing.

avoid shallow breathing

Yoga teachers tell students to avoid shallow breathing.

signs of shallow breathing

Check for signs of shallow breathing before giving help.

Synonyms and how they differ

chest breathing

Chest breathing names the body mechanics, while shallow breathing describes how little air is moved, so the second is the more common medical phrase.

panting

Panting is quick, noisy breathing, often after exercise, whereas shallow breathing can be quiet and barely noticeable.

hyperventilation

Hyperventilation means breathing too fast and too much, which is a more specific and serious condition than shallow breathing.

Opposites

Word family

shallow adjective

not deep

shallowly adverb

in a shallow way, as in breathing shallowly

breathe verb

take air in and out of the lungs

breath noun

air taken in or let out

breathless adjective

short of breath

Commonly confused: shallow breathing or shortness of breath?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “shallow breathing”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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