jet
JEHT
Jet (noun) means a fast-moving stream of liquid, gas, or flame forced out of a small opening. Example: “The whale blew a jet of mist high into the cold air.”
noun
1
A fast-moving stream of liquid, gas, or flame forced out of a small opening.
"The whale blew a jet of mist high into the cold air."
"A jet of steam hissed from the kettle spout."
"A jet of water shot from the cracked pipe."
2
An aircraft powered by jet engines.
"The jet roared down the runway and climbed steadily into the clouds."
"We watched a small private jet land at the airfield."
"They caught the last jet out of the city before the storm hit."
3
A hard, deep-black mineral once popular for mourning jewellery, or the intense black colour associated with it.
"My great-aunt wore a brooch carved from jet that had belonged to her mother."
"The cat's coat was a glossy jet without a single white hair."
"Her hair was jet black under the streetlights."
verb
1
To travel by jet aircraft, especially quickly or frequently.
"After the conference, the whole team jetted off to Singapore for a week."
"He jets around Europe so often that he barely unpacks his suitcase."
"She jets between London and New York for work most months."
How to use jet
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA forceful spray or stream, a jet-powered aircraft, or (as an adjective) deep black.
Common pairings
jet black
jet engine
jet lag
jet off somewhere
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Word forms
- Plural
- jets
- Third person singular
- jets
- Past tense
- jetted
- Comparative
- jetter, more jet
- Superlative
- jettest, most jet
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The whale blew a _____ of mist high into the cold air.
Etymology
From an Old French word meaning "a throw" or "spurt", from Latin iacere, "to throw" — the same root behind words like "eject" and "project".
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “jet” mean?
The word “jet” means a fast-moving stream of liquid, gas, or flame forced out of a small opening. In plain terms, a forceful spray or stream, a jet-powered aircraft, or (as an adjective) deep black.
How do you pronounce “jet”?
“Jet” is pronounced JEHT (/ˈd͡ʒɛt/ in IPA).
How do you use “jet” in a sentence?
Here is “jet” used in a sentence: “A jet of water shot from the cracked pipe.”
What part of speech is “jet”?
Depending on how it is used, “jet” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “jet” come from?
The word “jet” comes from Latin. From an Old French word meaning "a throw" or "spurt", from Latin iacere, "to throw" — the same root behind words like "eject" and "project".
Is “jet” a common word?
“Jet” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “jet” have?
“Jet” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a fast-moving stream of liquid, gas, or flame forced out of a small opening.
What is the difference between a "jet" and a "plane"?
"Plane" is the general word for any aircraft, including those with propellers. A "jet" is specifically an aircraft powered by jet engines, which are typically faster. Every jet is a plane, but not every plane is a jet.
What is the difference between a "jet" and a "spray"?
A jet is a fast-moving stream of liquid, gas, or flame forced through a small opening, so it stays narrow and concentrated. A spray is that stream broken into a fine mist of dispersed droplets. A hose can produce a jet of water or a soft spray depending on the nozzle.
What are common phrases and compounds with "jet"?
"Jet" appears in "jet engine," "jet lag," "jet ski," "jet stream," and "private jet." The stream sense also gives phrases like "a jet of water" or "a jet of flame."
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