jerky
Jerky (adj) means moving in sudden, uneven starts and stops rather than smoothly. Example: “The old lift moved with a jerky, unsettling motion.”
How to use jerky
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither something that moves in rough, uneven bursts, or a chewy dried-meat snack.
Word forms
jerkier comparative, jerkied past tense, jerkies plural, jerkies singular, jerkiest superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old lift moved with a _____, unsettling motion.
Etymology
Borrowed from Spanish charqui, from Quechua charki.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for jerky
See all rhymes for 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.