noun
Uncommon
jock
JOK
Jock (noun) means Informal, especially American, term for an athlete, particularly one more known for sport than academics. Example: “The jocks sat together at the far end of the cafeteria.”
noun
1
Informal, especially American, term for an athlete, particularly one more known for sport than academics.
"The jocks sat together at the far end of the cafeteria."
2
Informal British term for a Scottish man.
"His army mates called him "Jock" because of his accent."
3
A disc jockey.
"The radio jock kept the late show running until dawn."
4
Short for jockstrap, an athletic supporter.
"He grabbed his jock before heading to practice."
How to use jock
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDepending on context: a sporty type, a Scotsman, a radio host, or short for jockstrap.
When to use it
Informal in all senses; calling a Scotsman "a Jock" can read as a stereotype and should be used carefully.
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Word forms
- Plural
- jocks
- Third person singular
- jocks
- Past tense
- jocked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ sat together at the far end of the cafeteria.
Etymology
From Jock, a Scots pet form of "John," later generalized as a nickname for a Scotsman and eventually for athletes.
Related words
Rhymes for jock
See all rhymes for jock →Frequently asked questions
What does “jock” mean?
The word “jock” means informal, especially American, term for an athlete, particularly one more known for sport than academics. In plain terms, depending on context: a sporty type, a Scotsman, a radio host, or short for jockstrap.
How do you pronounce “jock”?
“Jock” is pronounced JOK (/ˈd͡ʒɑk/ in IPA).
How do you use “jock” in a sentence?
Here is “jock” used in a sentence: “The jocks sat together at the far end of the cafeteria.”
What part of speech is “jock”?
“Jock” is a noun.
Is “jock” a common word?
“Jock” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “jock” have?
“Jock” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: informal, especially American, term for an athlete, particularly one more known for sport than academics.
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