jerky
12 synonyms and 2 antonyms for jerky, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Moving in sudden, uneven starts and stops rather than smoothly.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adj
Moving in sudden, uneven starts and stops rather than smoothly.
“The old lift moved with a jerky, unsettling motion.”
Opposites
2. noun
Meat cut into thin strips and dried, often with added spices, as a shelf-stable snack.
“He packed a bag of beef jerky for the hike.”
How to use jerky
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
beef jerky
jerky movement
turkey jerky
Etymology
Borrowed from Spanish charqui, which itself comes from Quechua charki.
Full origin of jerky →Frequently asked questions
What does “jerky” mean?
The word “jerky” means moving in sudden, uneven starts and stops rather than smoothly. In plain terms, either something that moves in rough, uneven bursts, or a chewy dried-meat snack.
How do you pronounce “jerky”?
“Jerky” is pronounced JUR-kee (/ˈd͡ʒɝki/ in IPA).
How do you use “jerky” in a sentence?
Here is “jerky” used in a sentence: “The old lift moved with a jerky, unsettling motion.”
What part of speech is “jerky”?
Depending on how it is used, “jerky” can be an adjective and a noun.
How many meanings does “jerky” have?
“Jerky” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: moving in sudden, uneven starts and stops rather than smoothly.
