stunt
Stunt (noun) means a dangerous or spectacular feat performed for entertainment, often in film. Example: “The car chase featured some incredible stunts.”
How to use stunt
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA daring feat performed for show, or (as a verb) to hold back someone's growth.
As a verb, "stunt" almost always takes a direct object about growth/development ("stunt growth"), not a person acting daringly — that's the noun sense instead.
Word forms
stunted past tense, stunted past tense, stunts plural, stunts singular, stunts singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The car chase featured some incredible _____.
Etymology
Origin uncertain; possibly related to an old Middle English word meaning "foolish" or a Middle Low German term for a wrestling throw.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for stunt
See all rhymes for stunt →Frequently asked questions
What does “stunt” mean?
The word “stunt” means a dangerous or spectacular feat performed for entertainment, often in film. In plain terms, a daring feat performed for show, or (as a verb) to hold back someone's growth.
How do you pronounce “stunt”?
“Stunt” is pronounced stuhnt (/stʌnt/ in IPA).
How do you use “stunt” in a sentence?
Here is “stunt” used in a sentence: “The car chase featured some incredible stunts.”
What part of speech is “stunt”?
Depending on how it is used, “stunt” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “stunt” come from?
The word “stunt” comes from Middle English. Origin uncertain; possibly related to an old Middle English word meaning "foolish" or a Middle Low German term for a wrestling throw.
Is “stunt” a common word?
“Stunt” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “stunt” have?
“Stunt” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a dangerous or spectacular feat performed for entertainment, often in film.
What is the difference between a stunt and a publicity stunt?
A stunt in general refers to a dangerous or spectacular feat performed for entertainment, often in film or live performance. A publicity stunt narrows that to an attention-grabbing act done mainly to generate media coverage or public interest, not necessarily involving danger.
How is 'stunt' used differently as a noun and a verb?
As a noun, a stunt is the spectacular or attention-grabbing act itself, as in 'a movie stunt.' As a verb, to stunt means to stop or slow down the growth or development of something, as in 'poor soil can stunt a plant's growth.'
What does it mean to say something 'stunts' growth?
When something is said to stunt growth, it means it holds back or slows the normal growth or development of a person, plant, or process, often implying a harmful or limiting effect.