Definition of jolt
1 : an abrupt, sharp, jerky blow or movement awoke with a jolt
2a (1) : a sudden feeling of shock, surprise, or disappointment the news gave them a jolt (2) : an event or development causing such a feeling the defeat was quite a joltb : a serious setback or reverse a severe financial jolt
3 : a small but potent or bracing portion of something a jolt of horseradish
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Examples of jolt in a Sentence
The explosion jolted the ship.
He was jolted forward when the bus stopped suddenly.
The loud bang jolted me awake.
The attack jolted the country into action.
She jolted the medical world with her announcement.
Origin and Etymology of jolt
see 2jolt
First Known Use: 1599
jolt
Definition of jolt
transitive verb
1a : to disturb the composure of : shock crudely jolted out of that mood — Virginia Woolf an announcement that jolted the communityb : to interfere with roughly, abruptly, and disconcertingly determination to pursue his own course was jolted badly — F. L. Paxson
2 : to cause to move with a sudden jerky motion passengers being jolted along a bumpy road
3 : to give a knock or blow to; specifically : to jar with a quick or hard blow
intransitive verb
: to move with a sudden jerky motion
jolter
nounExamples of jolt in a Sentence
I sprang out of bed with a jolt.
The car stopped with a jolt.
I got quite a jolt when I heard the door slam.
The defeat was quite a jolt to the team.
The stock market suffered a major jolt yesterday.
She needed a jolt of caffeine to start her day.
The unexpected praise he received gave him a jolt of confidence.
Origin and Etymology of jolt
probably blend of obsolete joll to strike and jot to bump
First Known Use: 1596
JOLT Defined for English Language Learners
jolt
playDefinition of jolt for English Language Learners
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: to cause (something or someone) to move in a quick and sudden way
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: to move with a quick and sudden motion
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: to surprise or shock (someone)
jolt
Definition of jolt for English Language Learners
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: a sudden, rough movement
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: a sudden shock or surprise
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: a small but powerful amount of something
JOLT Defined for Kids
Definition of jolt for Students
jolted
;jolting
1 : to move or cause to move with a sudden jerky motion The train jolted to a stop.
2 : to cause to be upset The bad news jolted us.
Definition of jolt for Students
1 : an abrupt jerky and usually powerful blow or movement
2 : a sudden shock or surprise Lincoln Elementary needed a good jolt once in a while … — Andrew Clements, Frindle
Learn More about jolt
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See words that rhyme with jolt Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for jolt Spanish Central: Translation of jolt Nglish: Translation of jolt for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of jolt for Arabic speakers
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