Definition of jerk
1a : an annoyingly stupid or foolish person was acting like a jerkb : an unlikable person; especially : one who is cruel, rude, or small-minded a selfish jerk
2 : a single quick motion of short duration a sudden jerk gave the handle a jerk
3a : jolting, bouncing, or thrusting motionsb : a tendency to produce spasmodic motions
4a : an involuntary spasmodic muscular movement due to reflex actionb jerks plural : involuntary twitchings due to nervous excitement
5 : the pushing of a weight from shoulder height to a position overhead : the second phase of the clean and jerk in weight lifting
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Examples of jerk in a Sentence
That jerk can't do anything right.
Most of the kids are nice, but some are jerks.
The dead branch came loose after a few jerks.
He felt the jerk of the line as a fish took the bait.
The car started with a jerk.
Origin and Etymology of jerk
probably alteration of yerk
First Known Use: 1575
jerk
Definition of jerk
transitive verb
1 : to give a quick suddenly arrested push, pull, or twist to jerk a rope
2 : to propel or move with or as if with a quick suddenly arrested motion jerked the door open
3 : to mix and serve (drinks, such as sodas) behind a soda fountain
intransitive verb
1 : to make a sudden spasmodic motion Her hand jerked up suddenly.
2 : to move in short abrupt motions or with frequent jolts
jerker
nounOrigin and Etymology of jerk
see 1jerk
First Known Use: 1589
jerk
Definition of jerk
transitive verb
: to preserve (meat) in long sun-dried slices
Origin and Etymology of jerk
back-formation from 1jerky
First Known Use: 1707
JERK Defined for English Language Learners
jerk
playDefinition of jerk for English Language Learners
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: a stupid person or a person who is not well-liked or who treats other people badly
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: a quick pull or twist
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: a sudden sharp movement
JERK Defined for Kids
Definition of jerk for Students
jerked
;jerking
1 : to give a quick sharp pull or twist to She jerked the dog's leash.
2 : to move in a quick motion He jerked his head.
Definition of jerk for Students
1 : a short quick pull or jolt … he gave the rope a vicious jerk. — C. S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
2 : a foolish person
Medical Dictionary
Learn More about jerk
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See words that rhyme with jerk Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for jerk Spanish Central: Translation of jerk
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