noun
jock
JOK
noun
1
Informal, especially American, term for an athlete, particularly one more known for sport than academics.
"The jocks sat together at the far end of the cafeteria."
2
Informal British term for a Scottish man.
"His army mates called him "Jock" because of his accent."
3
A disc jockey.
"The radio jock kept the late show running until dawn."
4
Short for jockstrap, an athletic supporter.
"He grabbed his jock before heading to practice."
How to Use Jock
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDepending on context: a sporty type, a Scotsman, a radio host, or short for jockstrap.
When to use it
Informal in all senses; calling a Scotsman "a Jock" can read as a stereotype and should be used carefully.
Word Forms
jocked past tense, jocks plural, jocks plural, jocks singular
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The _____ sat together at the far end of the cafeteria.
Etymology
From Jock, a Scots pet form of "John," later generalized as a nickname for a Scotsman and eventually for athletes.