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Definition of jerk noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

jerk

noun
 
/dʒɜːk/
 
/dʒɜːrk/
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  1. [countable] a sudden quick sharp movement synonym jolt
    • with a jerk She sat up with a jerk.
    • He gave a jerk of his head, indicating that we should follow him.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • quick
    • sharp
    • sudden
    verb + jerk
    • give
    preposition
    • with a jerk of
    See full entry
  2. [countable] (informal) an offensive word for somebody who you think is stupid or often says or does the wrong thing
    • He was acting like a complete jerk.
    Extra Examples
    • She silently swore at herself for being such a jerk.
    • What kind of a jerk would do that?
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • complete
    • real
    • total
    See full entry
  3. [uncountable] meat that is marinated (= left in a mixture of oil and spices before being cooked) to give it a strong taste and then cooked over a wood fire
    • jerk chicken
  4. Word Originmid 16th cent. (denoting a stroke with a whip): probably imitative.
See jerk in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
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