whiplash
Whiplash (noun) means a neck injury caused by a sudden, violent jerking of the head, often in a car accident. Example: “She suffered whiplash after being rear-ended at a red light.”
How to use whiplash
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA neck injury from a sudden jerk of the head, or, more loosely, a sudden jarring change.
Word forms
whiplashed past tense, whiplashes plural, whiplashes singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She suffered _____ after being rear-ended at a red light.
Etymology
A compound of whip and lash, describing an injury that mimics the snapping motion of a whip.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “whiplash” mean?
The word “whiplash” means a neck injury caused by a sudden, violent jerking of the head, often in a car accident. In plain terms, a neck injury from a sudden jerk of the head, or, more loosely, a sudden jarring change.
How do you pronounce “whiplash”?
“Whiplash” is pronounced WIHP-lash (/ˈwɪpˌlæʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “whiplash” in a sentence?
Here is “whiplash” used in a sentence: “She suffered whiplash after being rear-ended at a red light.”
What part of speech is “whiplash”?
“Whiplash” is a noun.
How many meanings does “whiplash” have?
“Whiplash” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a neck injury caused by a sudden, violent jerking of the head, often in a car accident.