Lurch
/lɜːrtʃ/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo make an abrupt, unsteady movement; to stagger.
/lɜːrtʃ/
To make an abrupt, unsteady movement or stagger.
The car lurched forward as the light turned green.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're walking and suddenly trip a little, but catch yourself before you fall. That little stumble and recovery? That's a lurch! Like, 'Whoa, the boat lurched suddenly and I almost dropped my ice cream!'
👶 For kids: When you take a big step or move suddenly and almost fall, like when you're learning to ride a bike and wobble around.
More Examples
She lurched out of her seat when she heard the unexpected news.
The ship lurched violently in the storm.
He lurched into the room, clearly exhausted.
How It's Used
"He lurched forward as the bus suddenly stopped."
"The drunkard lurched down the alleyway, seeking refuge."
An abrupt, unsteady movement or a sudden jerky movement.
/lɜːrtʃ/
An abrupt, unsteady movement.
The boat gave a sickening lurch.
💡 Simply: It's that unexpected jerk or wobble you feel when something moves quickly or unevenly. Like when a car hits a bump and 'there's a lurch!' or when you're on a boat and there is a sudden movement.
👶 For kids: When something moves suddenly and quickly, causing a bit of a wobble or jerk, like on a swing or a rollercoaster.
More Examples
The sudden lurch of the train threw the passengers off balance.
He felt a lurch in his stomach when he heard the bad news.
The car took a lurch to the side due to the icy road.
How It's Used
"The car gave a sudden lurch as it hit the pothole."
"The runner's lurch towards the finish line won him the race."
From Middle English *lurchen, probably from a Germanic source related to Dutch lurken ('to lurk').
The word 'lurch' has been used since the 14th century, originally to describe a sudden movement or awkward action. It was often used to describe a sudden movement that could cause someone to stumble or fall.
Memory tip
Think of a 'lunch' you ate quickly, then quickly the feeling in your stomach 'lurched'.
Word Origin
"To lurk, to hang back"