# shocked

/ˈʃɑkt/ (US) · /ʃˈɒkt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/shocked
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. surprised and upset

adjective · CEFR B1

feeling very surprised, upset, or angry because something bad or unexpected happened.

For teachers: experiencing a sudden and powerful emotional disturbance, often involving disbelief or indignation.

- We were absolutely shocked to hear that the local library was closing down.
- The community was deeply shocked by the sudden resignation of the headteacher, who had served the school for over twenty years.

### 2. medical shock

adjective · CEFR B2 · Technical

suffering from a dangerous physical condition where the blood does not flow properly after an injury.

For teachers: experiencing a life-threatening physiological state characterized by a sudden drop in blood flow through the body.

- The hikers were cold and shocked after being rescued from the mountain.
- Paramedics treated the shocked survivors for hypothermia before transporting them to the nearest trauma centre for further evaluation.

### 3. electric shock

adjective · CEFR B2 · Technical

having had electricity pass through the body.

For teachers: subjected to an electric discharge or current passing through the body.

- The worker was shocked when he touched the live wire by mistake.
- The technician was severely shocked while attempting to repair the high-voltage transformer without proper grounding equipment.

## Examples

- I was shocked to hear the bad news this morning.
- The community was deeply shocked when the historic library burned down overnight.
- Witnesses stood in a shocked silence as the magnitude of the structural failure became apparent to everyone on the scene.

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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.