# stunt

/ˈstənt/ (US) · /stˈʌnt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/stunt
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. dangerous feat

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- The actor does all his own stunts instead of using a double.
- The film's most impressive stunt involved a high-speed motorcycle chase across the rooftops of the old city.

### 2. publicity trick

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- The company's latest marketing stunt involved giving away free cars.
- Critics dismissed the politician's visit to the factory as a transparent publicity stunt intended to boost his falling approval ratings.

### 3. to hinder growth

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

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

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

- A lack of sunlight can stunt the growth of your indoor plants.
- Research suggests that severe nutritional deficiencies during early childhood can permanently stunt physical and cognitive development.

### 4. to show off

verb · CEFR C1 · Slang · Informal

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

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

- He was stunting in his new sports car all weekend.
- The rapper spent the entire music video stunting with expensive jewellery and private jets to project an image of extreme success.

## Examples

- The actor performs every dangerous stunt himself.
- The company's latest marketing stunt involved giving away free coffee to everyone in the city center.
- While the publicity stunt successfully generated short-term media coverage, it failed to address the underlying concerns regarding the brand's long-term sustainability and ethics.

---

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.