jerk

[d͡ʒɜːk]

[d͡ʒɝk]

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A jerk is someone who behaves rudely or thoughtlessly.

When people call someone a jerk, they usually mean that this person isn't very nice and often says hurtful things. For example, if someone cuts off another driver on the road without even apologizing, you might think of them as a jerk. On the other hand, the word "jerk" can also be used to describe a type of seasoning or marinade, especially for chicken or pork. In this case, it's more related to food than behavior!

How common is "jerk"?

Word jerk is considered uncommon in modern English.
It appears most frequently in fiction texts and less often in other writings.

Definitions

noun

A sudden, often uncontrolled movement, especially of the body.
A quick, often unpleasant tug or shake.
Example: When I yell "OK," give the mooring line a good jerk!
A dull or stupid person.
A person with unlikable or obnoxious qualities and behavior, typically mean, self-centered or disagreeable.
Example: I finally fired him, because he was being a real jerk to his customers, even to some of the staff.
The rate of change in acceleration with respect to time.
A soda jerk.
A lift in which the weight is taken with a quick motion from shoulder height to a position above the head with arms fully extended and held there for a brief time.

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joltlurchsurgeyanknumbskull

verb

To make a sudden uncontrolled movement.
To give a quick, often unpleasant tug or shake.
To masturbate.
To beat, to hit.
To throw with a quick and suddenly arrested motion of the hand.
Example: to jerk a stone
(usually transitive) To lift using a jerk.
To flout with contempt.

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Real examples of "jerk" in context

Gerard Butler Cried While Watching How to Train Your Dragon, Shares Reactions to His Stoick Voice

Interview

You're a sexy jerk.

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