Verb (1)
I bolted as I read the winning lottery numbers
the cat bolted for the food dish the minute he spied it
the rabbit bolted when it saw the fox approaching bolted out the cuss word without thinking
the way you bolted those hot dogs, it's no wonder you're feeling a little queasy Adverb
She sat bolt upright, staring straight ahead.
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Noun
But these aren’t gods in oh-so-gracious robes or with armor or holding lightning bolts in their hands.—David Lyman, Cincinnati Enquirer, 27 Sep. 2025 Crego, inspired by his Cuban heritage, said a lightning bolt went off when casting Gabby’s Gigi.—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
The shooter bolted, dropping the gun, the bag and the phone.—Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2025 Advertisers weren’t threatening to bolt.—Lizz Winstead, Time, 27 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bolt
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German bolz crossbow bolt, and perhaps to Lithuanian beldėti to beat
Verb (2)
Middle English bulten, from Anglo-French buleter, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle High German biuteln to sift, from biutel bag, from Old High German būtil
First Known Use
Noun (1)
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b
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