# jolt

/ˈdʒoʊɫt/ (US) · /dʒˈəʊlt/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/jolt
Updated: 2026-05-11

## Definition

a sudden, sharp movement or a strong shock that surprises you. It can be a physical shake or a sudden emotional surprise.

For teachers: a sudden, abrupt movement or a sharp emotional shock. Often used to describe a physical impact or a sudden realization that causes a startle response.

## Examples

- The car stopped with a sudden jolt.
- The news of the unexpected merger gave the employees a jolt of anxiety about their job security.
- A sudden jolt from the earthquake sent books flying off the shelves and woke the entire neighborhood in the middle of the night.

## Usage notes

- Often appears in the phrase 'a jolt of' followed by an abstract noun like 'energy', 'electricity', or 'surprise'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.