What does "stunt" mean?

1. (dangerous feat) a dangerous or difficult action, often done in a film or for a show. 2. (publicity trick) something unusual done just to get people's attention or to sell a product. 3. (to hinder growth) to stop something or someone from growing or developing as they should. 4. (to show off) to behave in a way that shows how much money or talent you have.

stunt

n. · v.

US //ˈstənt// UK //stˈʌnt// stunt

1 dangerous feat (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

a dangerous or difficult action, often done in a film or for a show.

a daring or dangerous feat, typically requiring significant physical skill or coordination, often performed for entertainment.

Example

The actor does all his own stunts instead of using a double.

Example

The film's most impressive stunt involved a high-speed motorcycle chase across the rooftops of the old city.
2 publicity trick (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

something unusual done just to get people's attention or to sell a product.

an activity designed to attract public attention or media coverage, often for promotional purposes.

Example

The company's latest marketing stunt involved giving away free cars.

Example

Critics dismissed the politician's visit to the factory as a transparent publicity stunt intended to boost his falling approval ratings.
- gimmick
- publicity stunt

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3 to hinder growth (v.)
C1 Advanced Formal Science

to stop something or someone from growing or developing as they should.

to check or hinder the natural growth or development of an organism or process.

Example

A lack of sunlight can stunt the growth of your indoor plants.

Example

Research suggests that severe nutritional deficiencies during early childhood can permanently stunt physical and cognitive development.
- promote
- encourage
4 to show off (v.)
C1 Advanced Slang Informal

to behave in a way that shows how much money or talent you have.

to display one's wealth, success, or style in an ostentatious manner.

Example

He was stunting in his new sports car all weekend.

Example

The rapper spent the entire music video stunting with expensive jewellery and private jets to project an image of extreme success.
- flaunt
- show off
- posture

Etymology 1

Unknown. Compare Middle Low German stunt (“a shoulder grip with which you throw someone on their back”), Middle English stunt (“foolish; stupid”).

Etymology 2

From dialectal stunt (“stubborn, dwarfed”), from Middle English stont, stunt (“short, brief”), from Old English stunt (“stupid, foolish, simple”), from Proto-Germanic *stuntaz (“short, compact, stupid, dull”). Cognate with Middle High German stunz (“short”), Old Norse stuttr (“short in stature, dwarfed”). Related to Old English styntan (“to make dull, stupefy, become dull, repress”). More at stint.