verb

jolt

Jolt (verb) means to shake or push something abruptly and roughly. Example: “The bus jolted forward as it pulled away.”

verb

To shake or push something abruptly and roughly.

"The bus jolted forward as it pulled away."

"A sudden bump jolted the passengers awake."

noun

A sudden shock or shake, whether physical or emotional.

"The news gave her quite a jolt."

How to use jolt

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA sudden, rough movement, or a sudden shock — physical or emotional.

Common pairings

a jolt of electricity jolt awake a jolt of fear

Word forms

jolted past tense, jolts plural, jolts singular

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The bus _____ forward as it pulled away.

Etymology

Possibly from an older word "joll," meaning to knock or strike, with a suffix added for repeated action.

Synonyms

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shock jerk jar jerking jounce saccade

Related words

friend hit agree throw bitch surprise blow shock

Rhymes for jolt

colt bolt volt holt dolt

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Frequently asked questions

What does “jolt” mean?

The word “jolt” means to shake or push something abruptly and roughly. In plain terms, a sudden, rough movement, or a sudden shock — physical or emotional.

How do you pronounce “jolt”?

“Jolt” is pronounced jolt (/d͡ʒoʊlt/ in IPA).

How do you use “jolt” in a sentence?

Here is “jolt” used in a sentence: “The bus jolted forward as it pulled away.”

What part of speech is “jolt”?

Depending on how it is used, “jolt” can be a verb and a noun.

How many meanings does “jolt” have?

“Jolt” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to shake or push something abruptly and roughly.

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