jerk

Meanings

1. 1nouncountableoffensivedisapproving

   An annoying, selfish, rude, or foolish person.

   Grammar: An insult; use carefully and expect offense: What a jerk.

   Patterns

   • be a jerk
   • act like a jerk
   • call someone a jerk

   In the story, the neighbor is a jerk until the storm changes him.

   He acted like a jerk by taking credit for the group's work.

2. 2verbtransitive or intransitive

   To move, pull, or push with a sudden sharp motion.

   Grammar: Can take an object: jerk the rope; or be intransitive: the train jerked forward.

   Patterns

   • jerk something open
   • jerk forward
   • jerk someone awake

   She jerked the drawer open and found the missing key.

   The bus jerked to a stop and everyone held on.

Word forms

Common combinations

jerk forward

The train jerked forward before the bags were settled.

jerk something open

He jerked the gate open with one quick pull.

jerk awake

A noise from the kitchen jerked her awake.

act like a jerk

He apologized for acting like a jerk at dinner.

Synonyms and how they differ

idiot

Focuses on foolishness; jerk emphasizes selfish or rude behavior.

lout

More old-fashioned or British and stresses crude manners.

creep

Often suggests an unpleasant, sneaky person rather than open rudeness.

yank

As a verb only, means a hard pull; as a noun it does not mean a rude person.

Word family

jerky adjective

Moving in sudden stops and starts; also a dried-meat noun.

jerkiness noun

The quality of moving unevenly or abruptly.

Commonly confused: jerk or yank? jerk or jolt?

Practice

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