verb
Common
jerk
JURK
Jerk (verb) means to move suddenly and sharply, often without control. Example: “The old bus jerked to a halt, and my bag slid across the floor.”
verb
1
To move suddenly and sharply, often without control.
"The old bus jerked to a halt, and my bag slid across the floor."
"The train jerked forward and threw everyone off balance."
"His leg jerked when the doctor tapped his knee."
2
To pull or tug something quickly and sharply.
"He jerked his hand away from the hot pan."
"She jerked the fishing line the moment she felt a bite."
"He jerked the cord to start the lawnmower."
noun
1
An unpleasant or inconsiderate person.
"The man who pushed past the queue at the shop was a real jerk."
"Only a jerk would cut in line like that."
"He felt like a jerk after snapping at his coworker."
2
A Jamaican style of seasoning and slow-cooking meat over spiced coals, or the meat prepared this way.
"We ordered jerk pork with rice and peas from the street food van."
"My uncle marinates the jerk overnight, then cooks it slowly over charcoal."
"The stall on the corner sells the best jerk chicken in town."
How to use jerk
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA short, sudden pull or movement — or, informally, a rude and inconsiderate person.
Common mistake
Don't confuse the cooking term (jerk chicken) with the movement/insult senses — they're unrelated meanings sharing one spelling.
Common pairings
jerk chicken
a knee-jerk reaction
jerk someone around
what a jerk
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- jerks
- Past tense
- jerked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old bus _____ to a halt, and my bag slid across the floor.
Etymology
Probably from an old English word meaning "ready" or "quick", describing a sudden sharp motion; the Jamaican cooking sense is unrelated and comes from a different, disputed source.
Related words
Rhymes for jerk
See all rhymes for jerk →Frequently asked questions
What does “jerk” mean?
The word “jerk” means to move suddenly and sharply, often without control. In plain terms, a short, sudden pull or movement — or, informally, a rude and inconsiderate person.
How do you pronounce “jerk”?
“Jerk” is pronounced JURK (/ˈd͡ʒɝk/ in IPA).
How do you use “jerk” in a sentence?
Here is “jerk” used in a sentence: “The train jerked forward and threw everyone off balance.”
What is another word for “jerk”?
Words with a similar meaning to “jerk” include assbag, assbreath, assbucket, assface, assfag and assfaggot.
What part of speech is “jerk”?
Depending on how it is used, “jerk” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “jerk” come from?
The word “jerk” comes from Old English. Probably from an old English word meaning "ready" or "quick", describing a sudden sharp motion; the Jamaican cooking sense is unrelated and comes from a different, disputed source.
Is “jerk” a common word?
“Jerk” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “jerk” have?
“Jerk” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to move suddenly and sharply, often without control.
What is the difference between jerk and yank?
Both involve a quick, sharp pull, but yank emphasizes pulling something hard toward you, as in "he yanked the door open." Jerk covers any sudden, sharp movement, including movements you do not control, so a train can jerk to a halt and a sleeping person's leg can jerk. Yank is almost always a deliberate action; jerk often is not.
Is calling someone a jerk offensive?
Calling someone a jerk labels them an unpleasant or inconsiderate person, so it is insulting, but it sits at the mild end of the scale. It is informal and contains no profanity, which is why it is common in casual speech and family films. It is still best avoided in formal or professional settings.
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