adj
jerky
JUR-kee
Jerky (adj) means moving in sudden, uneven starts and stops rather than smoothly. Example: “The old lift moved with a jerky, unsettling motion.”
adj
1
Moving in sudden, uneven starts and stops rather than smoothly.
"The old lift moved with a jerky, unsettling motion."
"His handwriting looked jerky, as if he'd written it on a moving bus."
noun
1
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
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither something that moves in rough, uneven bursts, or a chewy dried-meat snack.
Common pairings
beef jerky
jerky movement
turkey jerky
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Word forms
- Plural
- jerkies
- Third person singular
- jerkies
- Past tense
- jerkied
- Comparative
- jerkier
- Superlative
- jerkiest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old lift moved with a _____, unsettling motion.
Etymology
Borrowed from Spanish charqui, which itself comes from Quechua charki.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
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.
