Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense jerks, present participle jerking, past tense, past participle jerked
1. verb
If you jerk something or someone in a particular direction, or they jerk in a particular direction, they move a short distance very suddenly and quickly.
Mr Griffin jerked forward in his chair. [VERB adverb/preposition]
The car jerked to a halt. [VERB adverb/preposition]
'This is Brady Coyne,' said Sam, jerking his head in my direction. [VERB noun adverb/preposition]
Mike kept snatching him up by the collar and jerking him up. [VERB noun adverb/preposition]
Eleanor jerked her wrist free. [VERB noun adjective]
Foley raised his chin and jerked his neck as if his collar were too tight. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: jolt, bang, bump, lurch More Synonyms of jerk
Jerk is also a noun.
He indicated the bedroom with a jerk of his head. [+ of]
2. countable noun
If you call someone a jerk, you are insulting them because you think they are stupid or you do not like them.
[informal, offensive, disapproval]
3. See also knee-jerk
Phrasal verbs:
See jerk around
See jerk off
More Synonyms of jerk
jerk in British English1
(dʒɜːk)
verb
1.
to move or cause to move with an irregular or spasmodic motion
2.
to throw, twist, pull, or push (something) abruptly or spasmodically
3. (transitive; often foll byout)
to utter (words, sounds, etc) in a spasmodic, abrupt, or breathless manner
noun
4.
an abrupt or spasmodic movement
5.
an irregular jolting motion
the car moved with a jerk
6. Also called: physical jerks(plural) British informal
physical exercises
7. (plural) US a slang word for chorea
8. slang, mainly US and Canadian
a person regarded with contempt, esp a stupid or ignorant person
Derived forms
jerker (ˈjerker)
noun
jerking (ˈjerking)
adjective, noun
Word origin
C16: probably variant of yerk to pull stitches tight in making a shoe; compare Old English gearcian to make ready
jerk in British English2
(dʒɜːk)
verb(transitive)
1.
to preserve (venison, beef, etc) by cutting into thin strips and curing by drying in the sun
noun
2. Also called: jerky
jerked meat, esp beef
Word origin
C18: back formation from jerky, from charqui
jerk in American English1
(dʒɜrk)
verb transitive
1.
to pull, twist, push, thrust, or throw with a sudden, sharp movement
2. US, Informal, Obsolete
to make and serve (ice cream sodas)
verb intransitive
3.
to move with a jerk or in jerks
4.
to twitch
noun
5.
a sharp, abrupt movement; quick pull, twist, push, etc.
6.
a sudden muscular contraction caused by a reflex action
7. US, Slang
a person regarded as disagreeable, contemptible, etc., esp. as the result of foolish or mean behavior
8. Weightlifting
a lift in which the barbell is raised upward from shoulder level with the arms completely extended
see also clean and jerk
Idioms:
jerk off
jerk out
Word origin
var. of archaic yerk < ?
jerk in American English2
(dʒɜrk)
verb transitive
1.
to preserve (meat) by slicing into strips and drying, esp. originally in the sun
noun
2.
jerky2
Word origin
altered (after jerk1) < jerky2
Synonyms of 'jerk'
jolt, bang, bump, lurch
lurch, movement, thrust, twitch
tug, pull, yank, wrench
idiot, fool, wally, prat
More Synonyms of jerk
In other languages
jerk
British English: jerk VERB
If you jerk something or someone in a particular direction, or they jerk in a particular direction, they move a short distance very suddenly and quickly.
He jerked forward in his chair.
American English: jerk
Brazilian Portuguese: sacudir
Chinese: 猝然一动
European Spanish: dar una sacudida
French: bouger brusquement
German: rucken
Italian: dare uno strattone a
Japanese: 急に動かす/急に動く
Korean: ~을 홱 움직이다
European Portuguese: sacudir
Latin American Spanish: dar una sacudida
All related terms of 'jerk'
jerk off
To jerk off means to → masturbate .
jerk out
to utter sharply and abruptly
knee jerk
If you call someone's response to a question or situation a knee-jerk reaction , you mean that they react in a very predictable way, without thinking .
soda jerk
a person who serves at a soda fountain
jerk around
If you say that someone is jerking you around , you mean that they are not being honest with you about something.
clean-and-jerk
a lift in weightlifting in which the weight is held momentarily at shoulder height before being thrust overhead
knee-jerk reaction
Your reaction to something that has happened or something that you have experienced is what you feel , say , or do because of it.
jerk someone's chain
to tease , mislead , or harass someone
Chinese translation of 'jerk'
jerk
(dʒəːk)
vt
(= pull)
to jerk sth up/away/back将(將)某物猛地拉上/开(開)/回 (jiāng mǒuwù měng de lāshàng/kāi/huí)
vi
to jerk up/back猛然向上/后(後)一动(動) (měngrán xiàng shàng/hòu yī dòng)
n(c)
(= jolt) 急动(動) (jídòng)
(inf!, = idiot) 呆(獃)子 (dāizi) (个(個), gè)
the bus jerked to a halt巴士猛地停住了 (bāshì měng de tíng zhù le)
the train started with a jerk火车(車)颠(顛)簸着(著)启动(動)了 (huǒchē diānbǒzhe qǐdòng le)
with a jerk of his head扭动(動)一下他的头(頭) (niǔdòng yīxià tā de tóu)
to give a jerk抖了一下 (dǒule yīxià)
All related terms of 'jerk'
to give a jerk
抖了一下 dǒule yīxià
to jerk up/back
猛然向上/后(後)一动(動) měngrán xiàng shàng/hòu yī dòng
to jerk sth up/away/back
将(將)某物猛地拉上/开(開)/回 jiāng mǒuwù měng de lāshàng/kāi/huí
with a jerk of his head
扭动(動)一下他的头(頭) niǔdòng yīxià tā de tóu
the train started with a jerk
火车(車)颠(顛)簸着(著)启动(動)了 huǒchē diānbǒzhe qǐdòng le
(verb)
Definition
to pull or push (something) abruptly or spasmodically
The car jerked to a halt.
Synonyms
jolt
The train jolted into motion.
bang
I didn't mean to bang into you.
bump
We left the road again and bumped over the mountainside.
lurch
shake
1 (noun)
Definition
an irregular jolting motion
He indicated the bedroom with a jerk of his head.
Synonyms
lurch
movement
thrust
twitch
He developed a nervous twitch.
jolt
One tiny jolt could worsen her injuries.
throw
2 (noun)
She gave the dog's lead a jerk.
Synonyms
tug
My head was snapped backwards by a tug on my air hose.
pull
The tooth must be removed with a firm, straight pull.
yank
Grabbing his ponytail, Shirley gave it a yank.
wrench
The rope stopped his fall with a wrench that hurt his ribs.
twitch
tweak
a tweak on the ear
3 (noun)
Definition
a stupid or ignorant person
US, Canadian)
He'd tricked her into walking into the garbage, to make her look like a total jerk!
Synonyms
idiot
I knew I'd been an idiot to stay there.
fool
She'd been a fool to accept the offer.
prick (taboo, slang)
wally (slang)
prat (slang)
plonker (slang)
coot
moron (slang)
I used to think that he was a moron.
twit (informal, mainly British)
a pompous twit who loved the sound of his own voice
plank (British, slang)
chump
imbecile
I don't want to deal with these imbeciles any more.
cretin
oaf
some oaf shouting into his phone
simpleton
He was a lightweight, a political simpleton.
dimwit (informal)
Frankly, only a dimwit would say that.
dipstick (British, slang)
dickhead (taboo, slang)
gonzo (slang)
schmuck (US, slang)
dork (slang)
nitwit (informal)
You great nitwit! What did you do that for?
divvy (British, slang)
pillock (British, slang)
halfwit
I'm a mindless optimist, a cheery halfwit.
nincompoop
Only a complete nincompoop would believe a story like that.
dweeb (US, slang)
putz (US, slang)
eejit (Scottish, Irish)
thicko (British, slang)
dumb-ass (slang)
gobshite (Irish, taboo, slang)
dunderhead
numpty (Scottish, informal)
doofus (slang, mainly US)
lamebrain (informal)
fuckwit (taboo, slang)
mooncalf
dickwit (taboo, slang)
numbskull or numskull
dorba or dorb (Australian, slang)
bogan (Australian, slang)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of bang
I didn't mean to bang into you.
Synonyms
bump,
knock,
elbow,
jostle
in the sense of bump
Definition
to travel or proceed in jerks and jolts
We left the road again and bumped over the mountainside.
Synonyms
jerk,
shake,
bounce,
rattle,
jar,
jog,
lurch,
jolt,
jostle,
jounce
in the sense of dimwit
Definition
a stupid person
Frankly, only a dimwit would say that.
Synonyms
idiot,
bonehead (slang),
dunce,
dullard (old-fashioned),
ignoramus,
nitwit (informal),
blockhead,
fathead (informal),
booby,
dumb-ass (slang),
gobshite (Irish, taboo, slang),
dunderhead,
numpty (Scottish, informal),
lamebrain (informal),
numbskull or numskull
Synonyms of 'jerk'
jerk
Explore 'jerk' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of fool
Definition
a person who lacks sense or judgment
She'd been a fool to accept the offer.
Synonyms
idiot,
simpleton,
mug (British, slang),
berk (British, slang),
charlie (British, informal),
silly,
goose (informal),
dope (informal),
jerk (slang, US, Canadian),
dummy (slang),
ass (US, Canadian, taboo, slang),
clot (British, informal),
plank (British, slang),
sap (slang),
prick (taboo, slang),
wally (slang),
prat (slang),
plonker (slang),
coot,
moron (slang),
nit (informal),
git (British, slang),
twit (informal, British),
bonehead (slang),
chump (informal),
dunce,
imbecile (informal),
loon,
clod,
cretin,
oaf,
bozo (US, slang),
dullard,
dimwit (informal),
ignoramus,
dumbo (slang),
jackass,
dipstick (British, slang),
dickhead (taboo, slang),
gonzo (slang),
schmuck (US, slang),
dork (slang),
nitwit (informal),
dolt,
blockhead,
ninny,
divvy (British, slang),
bird-brain (informal),
pillock (British, slang),
halfwit,
nincompoop,
dweeb (US, slang),
putz (US, slang),
fathead (informal),
weenie (US, informal),
schlep (US, slang),
eejit (Scottish, Irish),
thicko (British, slang),
dumb-ass (slang),
pea-brain (slang),
gobshite (Irish, taboo, slang),
dunderhead,
numpty (Scottish, informal),
doofus (slang, US),
lamebrain (informal),
fuckwit (taboo, slang),
mooncalf,
thickhead,
clodpate (archaic),
dickwit (taboo, slang),
numbskull or numskull,
twerp or twirp (informal),
dorba or dorb (Australian, slang),
bogan (Australian, slang),
mampara (South Africa, informal)
in the sense of halfwit
Definition
a foolish or feeble-minded person
I'm a mindless optimist, a cheery halfwit.
Synonyms
fool,
jerk (slang, US, Canadian),
idiot,
plank (British, slang),
charlie (British, informal),
berk (British, slang),
prick (taboo, slang),
wally (slang),
prat (slang),
plonker (slang),
coot,
moron (slang),
twit (informal, British),
dunce,
imbecile (informal),
oaf,
simpleton,
airhead (slang),
dullard,
dimwit (informal),
dipstick (British, slang),
dickhead (taboo, slang),
gonzo (slang),
schmuck (US, slang),
dork (slang),
nitwit (informal),
dolt,
divvy (British, slang),
pillock (British, slang),
dweeb (US, slang),
putz (US, slang),
fathead (informal),
eejit (Scottish, Irish),
thicko (British, slang),
dumb-ass (slang),
gobshite (Irish, taboo, slang),
dunderhead,
numpty (Scottish, informal),
doofus (slang, US),
lamebrain (informal),
fuckwit (taboo, slang),
dickwit (taboo, slang),
numbskull or numskull,
dorba or dorb (Australian, slang),
bogan (Australian, slang)
in the sense of imbecile
Definition
an extremely stupid person
I don't want to deal with these imbeciles any more.
Synonyms
idiot,
fool,
jerk (slang, US, Canadian),
tosser (British, slang),
plank (British, slang),
berk (British, slang),
prick (taboo, slang),
wally (slang),
charlie (British, informal),
prat (slang),
plonker (slang),
coot,
moron (slang),
twit (informal, British),
chump,
cretin,
bungler,
dipstick (British, slang),
dickhead (taboo, slang),
gonzo (slang),
schmuck (US, slang),
dork (slang),
dolt,
divvy (British, slang),
pillock (British, slang),
halfwit,
dweeb (US, slang),
putz (US, slang),
eejit (Scottish, Irish),
thicko (British, slang),
dumb-ass (slang),
gobshite (Irish, taboo, slang),
numpty (Scottish, informal),
doofus (slang, US),
dotard,
fuckwit (taboo, slang),
thickhead,
dickwit (taboo, slang),
numbskull or numskull,
dorba or dorb (Australian, slang),
bogan (Australian, slang)
in the sense of moron
Definition
a foolish or stupid person
I used to think that he was a moron.
Synonyms
fool,
idiot,
dummy (slang),
berk (British, slang),
charlie (British, informal, old-fashioned),
tosser (British, slang),
dope (informal),
jerk (slang, US, Canadian),
ass,
plank (British, slang),
prick (taboo, slang),
wally (slang),
prat (slang),
plonker (slang, old-fashioned),
coot (old-fashioned),
twit (informal, British),
bonehead (slang),
chump,
dunce,
imbecile,
oaf (old-fashioned),
simpleton,
airhead (slang),
dimwit (informal),
dipstick (British, slang),
dickhead (taboo, slang),
gonzo (slang, rare),
schmuck (US, slang),
dork (slang),
nitwit (informal),
dolt,
blockhead,
divvy (British, slang, rare),
pillock (British, slang),
halfwit,
dweeb (US, slang),
putz (US, slang),
fathead (informal),
weenie (US, informal),
eejit (Scottish, Irish),
thicko (British, slang),
dumb-ass (slang),
gobshite (Irish, taboo, slang),
dunderhead,
numpty (Scottish, informal),
doofus (slang, US),
lamebrain (informal),
fuckwit (taboo, slang),
thickhead,
muttonhead (slang),
dickwit (taboo, slang),
numbskull or numskull,
dorba or dorb (Australian, slang),
bogan (Australian, slang)
in the sense of nincompoop
Definition
a stupid person
Only a complete nincompoop would believe a story like that.
Synonyms
idiot,
charlie (British, informal),
fool,
jerk (slang, US, Canadian),
plank (British, slang),
berk (British, slang),
noodle,
prick (taboo, slang),
wally (slang),
prat (slang),
plonker (slang),
coot,
twit (informal, British),
chump,
dunce,
oaf,
simpleton,
dimwit (informal),
dipstick (British, slang),
dickhead (taboo, slang),
gonzo (slang),
schmuck (US, slang),
dork (slang),
nitwit (informal),
dolt,
blockhead,
ninny,
divvy (slang),
pillock (British, slang),
dweeb (US, slang),
putz (US, slang),
fathead (informal),
eejit (Scottish, Irish),
thicko (British, slang),
dumb-ass (slang),
gobshite (Irish, taboo, slang),
numpty (Scottish, informal),
doofus (slang, US),
lamebrain (informal),
fuckwit (taboo, slang),
dickwit (taboo, slang),
numbskull or numskull,
dorba or dorb (Australian, slang),
bogan (Australian, slang)
in the sense of nitwit
Definition
a stupid person
You great nitwit! What did you do that for?
Synonyms
fool,
dummy (slang),
plank (British, slang),
oaf,
simpleton,
dimwit (informal),
dipstick (British, slang),
dickhead (taboo, slang),
dork (slang),
ninny,
divvy (slang),
halfwit,
nincompoop,
putz (US, slang),
eejit (Scottish, Irish),
thicko (British, slang),
gobshite (Irish, taboo, slang),
numpty (Scottish, informal),
doofus (slang, US),
lamebrain (informal),
fuckwit (taboo, slang),
dickwit (taboo, slang),
dorba or dorb (Australian, slang),
bogan (Australian, slang)
in the sense of oaf
Definition
a stupid or clumsy person
some oaf shouting into his phone
Synonyms
lout,
brute,
yob or yobbo (British, slang),
fool,
jerk (slang, US, Canadian),
idiot,
dummy (slang),
plank (British, slang),
berk (British, slang),
sap (slang),
gorilla (informal),
wally (slang),
booby,
prat (slang),
plonker (slang),
coot,
moron (slang),
goon,
twit (informal, British),
bonehead (slang),
dunce,
imbecile,
clod,
simpleton,
gawk,
airhead (slang),
dullard,
dipstick (British, slang),
dickhead (taboo, slang),
gonzo (slang),
schmuck (US, slang),
dork (slang),
nitwit (informal),
dolt,
bear,
charlie (British, informal),
blockhead,
divvy (British, slang),
pillock (British, slang),
halfwit,
nincompoop,
dweeb (US, slang),
putz (US, slang),
fathead (informal),
eejit (Scottish, Irish),
thicko (British, slang),
dumb-ass (slang),
gobshite (Irish, taboo, slang),
numpty (Scottish, informal),
doofus (slang, US),
galoot (slang, US),
fuckwit (taboo, slang),
lummox (informal),
dickwit (taboo, slang),
numbskull or numskull,
bumpkin,
boor,
churl,
clumsy idiot,
cougan (Australian, slang),
scozza (Australian, slang),
bogan (Australian, slang),
dorba or dorb (Australian, slang),
bogan (Australian, slang)
in the sense of pull
Definition
the act of pulling
The tooth must be removed with a firm, straight pull.
Synonyms
tug,
jerk,
yank,
twitch,
heave
in the sense of simpleton
Definition
a foolish or stupid person
He was a lightweight, a political simpleton.
Synonyms
halfwit,
fool,
idiot,
charlie (British, informal),
goose (informal),
dope (informal),
jerk (slang, US, Canadian),
plank (British, slang),
berk (British, slang),
wally (slang),
booby,
coot,
moron (slang),
geek (slang),
twit (informal, British),
chump,
dunce,
imbecile (informal),
oaf,
dullard (old-fashioned),
jackass,
dipstick (British, slang),
dickhead (taboo, slang),
gonzo (slang),
schmuck (US, slang),
dork (slang),
nitwit (informal),
dolt,
blockhead,
greenhorn (informal),
ninny,
divvy (British, slang),
nincompoop,
dweeb (US, slang),
putz (US, slang),
fathead (informal),
Simple Simon,
weenie (US, informal),
eejit (Scottish, Irish),
thicko (British, slang),
dumb-ass (slang),
gobshite (Irish, taboo, slang),
numpty (Scottish, informal),
doofus (slang, US),
fuckwit (taboo, slang),
dickwit (taboo, slang),
numskull or numbskull,
twerp or twirp (informal),
dorba or dorb (Australian, slang),
bogan (Australian, slang)
in the sense of tweak
Definition
the act of tweaking
a tweak on the ear
Synonyms
twist,
pull,
squeeze,
pinch,
jerk,
nip,
twitch
Additional synonyms
in the sense of twit
Definition
a foolish or stupid person
a pompous twit who loved the sound of his own voice
Synonyms
fool,
idiot,
jerk (slang, US, Canadian),
charlie (British, old-fashioned),
dope (informal),
clown,
ass,
plank (British, slang),
berk (British, slang),
prick (slang, slang),
wally (slang),
prat (slang),
plonker (slang, old-fashioned),
chump (informal),
oaf (old-fashioned),
simpleton,
airhead (slang),
dipstick (British, slang),
dickhead (taboo, slang),
gonzo (slang, old-fashioned),
schmuck (US, slang),
dork (slang),
nitwit (informal),
blockhead,
ninny,
divvy (British, old-fashioned),
pillock (British, slang),
halfwit,
silly-billy (informal),
nincompoop,
dweeb (US, slang),
putz (US, slang),
weenie (US, informal),
eejit (Scottish, Irish),
thicko (British, slang),
dumb-ass (slang),
gobshite (Irish, taboo, slang),
numpty (Scottish, informal),
doofus (slang, US),
fuckwit (taboo, slang),
juggins (British, informal),
dickwit (taboo, slang),
numbskull or numskull,
twerp or twirp (informal),
dorba or dorb (Australian, slang),
bogan (Australian, slang)
in the sense of twitch
Definition
a sharp jerking movement, esp. one caused by a nervous condition
He developed a nervous twitch.
Synonyms
jerk,
tic,
spasm,
twinge,
jump,
blink,
flutter,
tremor
in the sense of wrench
Definition
a violent twist or pull
The rope stopped his fall with a wrench that hurt his ribs.