What does "jolt" mean?
An act of jolting.
Jolt
/d͡ʒoʊlt/ noun, verb, slang
noun, verb, slang ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: An act of jolting.
- Grammar: jolt is listed as noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: jerk, shock, abrupt movement, activate.
- Useful contrasts: calm, calmness, continuity.
- Usage evidence: Suddenly I felt something like a jolt.
How to use "jolt"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "jolt" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "jolt" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "jolt" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "jolt" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "jolt" is acting as noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "jerk" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "jolt", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 An act of jolting.
"Timing your first coffee for mid-morning allows the caffeine to work its magic right as your body’s natural energy starts to wane. Instead of a jolt, you get a smooth, effective lift that carries you through the late morning and into the afternoon."
- 2 an abrupt spasmodic movement wordnet
- 3 A surprise or shock.
- 4 a sudden jarring impact wordnet
- 5 A long prison sentence. slang
"Just sit down and look around for a while. Notice your cell, John. Take a good look at it, because it is going to be your home for the next ten years. Sure! You have just gotten a ten-year "jolt," John; so settle down and be a good prisoner."
Show 1 more definition
- 6 A narcotic injection. slang
Verb
- 1 To push or shake abruptly and roughly. transitive
"The bus jolted its passengers at every turn."
- 2 disturb (someone's) composure wordnet
- 3 To knock sharply transitive
- 4 move or cause to move with a sudden jerky motion wordnet
- 5 To shock (someone) into taking action or being alert transitive
"I jolted her out of complacency."
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 To shock emotionally. transitive
"Her untimely death jolted us all."
- 7 To shake; to move with a series of jerks. intransitive
"The car jolted along the stony path."
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Suddenly I felt something like a jolt."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "jolt"?
Common synonyms include: jerk, shock, abrupt movement, activate, adrenaline rush, agitate.
How do you use "jolt" in a sentence?
Suddenly I felt something like a jolt.
How do you pronounce "jolt"?
Pronounced /d͡ʒoʊlt/.
Etymology
Perhaps from joll (“to knock, strike”) + -t (frequentative suffix).