Jerk
/dʒɜːrk/
Definitions
3 meaningsA sudden, quick movement or pull.
/dʒɜːrk/
A sudden, sharp movement.
The dog gave the leash a jerk and ran off.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're walking and someone yanks your arm really fast. That's a jerk!
👶 For kids: A quick, fast movement, like when a toy suddenly moves.
More Examples
I felt a jerk in my back as I lifted the box.
There was a sudden jerk as the train started.
How It's Used
"The car made a sudden jerk when the driver slammed on the brakes."
"The weightlifter performed a clean and jerk to lift the heavy barbell."
An annoying, foolish, or obnoxious person.
/dʒɜːrk/
A foolish or annoying person.
He acted like a jerk and insulted everyone at the party.
💡 Simply: That person who's always being mean or doing something silly that bothers you? That's a jerk.
👶 For kids: Someone who is not nice.
More Examples
I can't believe he was such a jerk and took all the credit.
She thinks he's a jerk because he never listens to her.
How It's Used
"Don't be such a jerk, stop cutting in line."
"The rude driver honked his horn and cut him off; what a jerk!"
To move with a sudden, quick motion; to give a sudden pull or twist.
/dʒɜːrk/
To make a sudden, sharp movement.
She jerked the phone away when he tried to grab it.
💡 Simply: To give something a quick pull or sudden move, like when you quickly pull a rope.
👶 For kids: To move something fast and sudden.
More Examples
The dog jerked on the leash when it saw a squirrel.
He jerked the handle and the door opened.
How It's Used
"The weightlifter jerked the barbell overhead."
"He jerked the door open impatiently."
Idioms & expressions
jerk someone around
To treat someone badly; to deceive or mistreat someone.
"The company jerked him around for months before finally firing him."
From Middle English *cherken*, possibly imitative of a sudden movement or from Middle English *jark* or *irke*, meaning 'to annoy'.
The term 'jerk' as an insult has been used since the late 19th century, possibly originating as a slang term.
Memory tip
Think of a sudden, sharp movement, like when someone pulls you unexpectedly.
Word Origin
"Possibly imitative or from a root meaning 'to annoy' or a sudden, sharp movement."