startle
STAHTL
Startle (verb) means to give someone a sudden shock or fright, usually without real danger. Example: “The fire alarm startled everyone in the office.”
verb
1
To give someone a sudden shock or fright, usually without real danger.
"The fire alarm startled everyone in the office."
"A loud bang from the kitchen startled the cat."
noun
1
A sudden jolt of surprise or alarm.
"She let out a startle when the phone rang unexpectedly."
How to use startle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo give someone a quick, unexpected fright.
Common mistake
Startle usually implies a brief, harmless shock, not lasting fear — that would be "scare" or "terrify."
Common pairings
startle someone
easily startled
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Word forms
- Plural
- startles
- Third person singular
- startles
- Past tense
- startled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The fire alarm _____ everyone in the office.
Etymology
From Old English steartlian, "to kick or struggle suddenly" — related to start in its older sense of jerking or flinching.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “startle” mean?
The word “startle” means to give someone a sudden shock or fright, usually without real danger. In plain terms, to give someone a quick, unexpected fright.
How do you pronounce “startle”?
“Startle” is pronounced STAHTL (/ˈstɑɹt(ə)l/ in IPA).
How do you use “startle” in a sentence?
Here is “startle” used in a sentence: “The fire alarm startled everyone in the office.”
What part of speech is “startle”?
Depending on how it is used, “startle” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “startle” come from?
The word “startle” comes from Old English. From Old English steartlian, "to kick or struggle suddenly" — related to start in its older sense of jerking or flinching.
How many meanings does “startle” have?
“Startle” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to give someone a sudden shock or fright, usually without real danger.
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