What does "shocking" mean?

1. (surprising or upsetting) very surprising and usually upsetting or offensive. 2. (very bad) extremely bad or of very low quality. 3. (electric shock) the act of giving someone an electric shock.

shocking

adj. · n.

US //ˈʃɑkɪŋ// UK //ʃˈɒkɪŋ// shock·ing

1 surprising or upsetting (adj.)
B1 Intermediate

very surprising and usually upsetting or offensive.

causing a feeling of intense surprise, horror, or disgust. Often used to describe news or behavior that violates social or moral expectations.

Example

The news of the accident was truly shocking to everyone in the small town.

Example

The documentary revealed shocking evidence of corruption at the highest levels of the regional government, sparking immediate public protests.
- predictable
- pleasant
2 very bad (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate British English Informal

extremely bad or of very low quality.

of an exceptionally poor standard or quality. This sense is frequently used in informal British English to express strong disapproval.

Example

The weather during our holiday was absolutely shocking; it rained every single day.

Example

The team's performance in the first half was shocking, characterized by a complete lack of coordination and several unforced errors.
- excellent
- superb

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3 electric shock (n.)
C2 Proficiency Technical Medicine

the act of giving someone an electric shock.

the application of an electric current to a person or animal, often in a medical or experimental context.

Example

The doctor explained that the shocking of the heart could help it beat normally again.

Example

The protocol for the experiment involved the controlled shocking of nerve endings to measure the subjects' involuntary response times.
- electrocution

Origin

From shock + -ing.

Word family

Adjectiveshocking
Adverbshockingly