noun

lurch

noun

A sudden, unsteady movement, especially forward or to one side.

"The train gave a lurch as it pulled out of the station."

verb

To move suddenly and unsteadily.

"He lurched to his feet after the long flight."

"The drunk man lurched across the room and knocked over a chair."

How to Use Lurch

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA sudden, clumsy, unsteady movement — or to move that way.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with the phrase "leave someone in the lurch," meaning to abandon them in a difficult situation — that comes from an old card game, not from this "stumble" sense.

Common pairings

lurch forward give a lurch leave in the lurch

Word Forms

lurched past tense, lurched past tense, lurched past tense, lurched past tense, lurches plural, lurches plural, lurches plural, lurches singular, lurches singular, lurches singular, lurches singular

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The train gave a _____ as it pulled out of the station.

Etymology

Originally a nautical term describing a ship rolling violently in rough seas; its ultimate origin is unknown, though it may be linked to French lâcher ("to let go").

Rhymes for lurch

arch march perch torch birch porch merch church search starch scorch monarch

See all rhymes for lurch →