verb
jolt
jolt
Jolt (verb) means to shake or push something abruptly and roughly. Example: “The bus jolted forward as it pulled away.”
verb
1
To shake or push something abruptly and roughly.
"The bus jolted forward as it pulled away."
"A sudden bump jolted the passengers awake."
noun
1
A sudden shock or shake, whether physical or emotional.
"The news gave her quite a jolt."
How to use jolt
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sudden, rough movement, or a sudden shock — physical or emotional.
Common pairings
a jolt of electricity
jolt awake
a jolt of fear
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like jolt.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- jolts
- Third person singular
- jolts
- Past tense
- jolted
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.
Related words
Rhymes for jolt
See all rhymes for jolt →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.
