# shocking

/ˈʃɑkɪŋ/ (US) · /ʃˈɒkɪŋ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. surprising or upsetting

adjective · CEFR B1

very surprising and usually upsetting or offensive.

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

- The news of the accident was truly shocking to everyone in the small town.
- The documentary revealed shocking evidence of corruption at the highest levels of the regional government, sparking immediate public protests.

### 2. very bad

adjective · CEFR B2 · British English · Informal

extremely bad or of very low quality.

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

- The weather during our holiday was absolutely shocking; it rained every single day.
- The team's performance in the first half was shocking, characterized by a complete lack of coordination and several unforced errors.

### 4. electric shock

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the act of giving someone an electric shock.

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

- The doctor explained that the shocking of the heart could help it beat normally again.
- The protocol for the experiment involved the controlled shocking of nerve endings to measure the subjects' involuntary response times.

## Examples

- The news about the accident was truly shocking.
- The documentary revealed some shocking facts about how much plastic ends up in the ocean every day.
- The sudden resignation of the prime minister was a shocking development that left the entire country questioning the stability of the current government.

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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.