Jolt
/dʒoʊlt/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo give a sudden, jarring shake or knock; to move or cause to move abruptly.
/dʒoʊlt/
To give someone or something a sudden, sharp, and often painful shake or knock.
The earthquake jolted the building.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're sitting in a car, and it hits a big pothole! That sudden bump is like a jolt. It's a quick, unexpected shake.
👶 For kids: To shake something suddenly and hard.
More Examples
The sudden news jolted her out of her complacency.
He jolted the car to avoid the dog.
How It's Used
"The bus jolted to a halt."
"He was jolted awake by the loud thunder."
A sudden, abrupt, and often unpleasant movement or experience.
/dʒoʊlt/
A sudden and abrupt movement or shock.
The news came as a jolt to her.
💡 Simply: It's like when you get a quick surprise, a sudden shock, or a shake. Like when you're expecting something and then suddenly something else happens.
👶 For kids: A quick, surprising shake or feeling.
More Examples
The car gave a jolt as it went over the bump.
I felt a jolt of excitement when I saw the surprise party.
How It's Used
"The car hit a pothole and gave us a jolt."
"The news gave him a jolt of surprise."
Idioms & expressions
a jolt to the system
An unexpected event that causes significant change, usually in a negative or disruptive way.
"The economic downturn was a jolt to the system, leading to widespread job losses."
From Middle English jolten, of uncertain origin, possibly related to Middle Dutch jolten (“to knock, shake”).
The word's usage expanded during the 19th century to include metaphorical senses of surprise or shock.
Memory tip
Imagine a sudden, unexpected bump that shakes you up.