Word Adjective
startled
adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˈstɑɹtəɫd/ UK /stˈɑːtəld/ star·tled
Definition
adj.feeling a sudden shock or surprise because of something unexpected. You might feel this way if a loud noise happens suddenly.
adj.feeling sudden alarm or surprise, typically as a reaction to an unexpected stimulus. Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'look', 'seem', or 'appear'.
Examples
“The loud bang left her feeling startled.”
“A startled deer jumped across the road when it heard the car approaching the forest edge.”
“The witness gave a startled gasp as the prosecutor revealed the hidden evidence, momentarily losing the composure she had maintained throughout the trial.”
Usage
Often follows a linking verb or appears before a noun to describe a sudden state of shock.
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated