jerk
1a quick, sharp pull, thrust, twist, throw, or the like; a sudden movement: The train started with a jerk.
a spasmodic, usually involuntary, muscular movement, as the reflex action of pulling the hand away from a flame.
any sudden, quick movement of the body, as in dodging something.
Slang. a contemptibly rude, inconsiderate, or mean person:That jerk just cut me off!
(in weightlifting) the raising of a weight from shoulder height to above the head by straightening the arms.
jerks, British Informal. physical jerks.
a dance, deriving from the twist, in which the dancers alternately thrust out their pelvises and their shoulders.
the jerks, paroxysms or violent spasmodic muscular movements, as resulting from excitement evoked by some religious services.
to pull, twist, move, thrust, or throw with a quick, suddenly arrested motion: She jerked the child by the hand.
to utter in a broken, spasmodic way.
Informal. to prepare, dispense, and serve (sodas, ice cream, etc.) at a soda fountain.
to give a jerk or jerks.
to move with a quick, sharp motion; move spasmodically.
to talk in a broken, spasmodic way.
Informal. to work as a soda jerk.
to dance the jerk.
jerk off, Slang: Vulgar. to masturbate.
Origin of jerk
1Other words from jerk
- jerk·er, noun
- jerk·ing·ly, adverb
Other definitions for jerk (2 of 2)
to preserve (meat, especially beef) by cutting in strips and curing by drying in the sun.
being or containing a spicy seasoning mixture flavored with allspice, used especially in Jamaican cooking: jerk sauce.
prepared with jerk flavorings, especially by barbecuing or grilling: jerk chicken.
Origin of jerk
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for jerk (1 of 2)
/ (dʒɜːk) /
to move or cause to move with an irregular or spasmodic motion
to throw, twist, pull, or push (something) abruptly or spasmodically
(tr often foll by out) to utter (words, sounds, etc) in a spasmodic, abrupt, or breathless manner
an abrupt or spasmodic movement
an irregular jolting motion: the car moved with a jerk
Also called: physical jerks (plural) British informal physical exercises
(plural) US a slang word for chorea
slang, mainly US and Canadian a person regarded with contempt, esp a stupid or ignorant person
Origin of jerk
1Derived forms of jerk
- jerker, noun
- jerking, adjective, noun
British Dictionary definitions for jerk (2 of 2)
/ (dʒɜːk) /
to preserve (venison, beef, etc) by cutting into thin strips and curing by drying in the sun
Also called: jerky jerked meat, esp beef
Origin of jerk
2Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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