top definitions
related content
examples
british

jerky

¹

[ jur-kee ]

/ ˈdʒɜr ki /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR jerky ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective, jerk·i·er, jerk·i·est.

characterized by jerks or sudden starts; spasmodic.

Slang. silly; foolish; stupid; ridiculous.

Origin of jerky

¹

First recorded in 1855–60; jerk¹ + -y¹

OTHER WORDS FROM jerky

jerk·i·ly, adverb jerk·i·ness, noun

Words nearby jerky

jerk off, jerk-off, jerkin, jerkinhead, jerkwater, jerky, jerky nystagmus, jerne, jeroboam, jerold, jerome

Example sentences from the Web for jerkily

She snapped out her orders with a curtness that brought a jerkily quick response from forty waving Indian clubs.

Just Patty |Jean Webster
Snakily, jerkily, the knotted end traveled upward until it disappeared in the cloud of snow that hid the mountain tops.

Ross Grant Tenderfoot |John Garland
The girl answered by a negative sign; and then at last she spoke, jerkily, as if forcing herself against some doubt or fear.

Victory |Joseph Conrad
"It's beastly—but she can't," he jerkily agreed, but with evident relief at her sensible understanding.

The Palace of Darkened Windows |Mary Hastings Bradley

He raised his head, jerkily rubbed his eyes, and went back to the eternity of figures.

Main Street |Sinclair Lewis

British Dictionary definitions for jerkily (1 of 2)

jerky ¹

/ (ˈdʒɜːkɪ) /

adjective jerkier or jerkiest

characterized by jerks; spasmodic

Derived forms of jerky

jerkily, adverb jerkiness, noun

British Dictionary definitions for jerkily (2 of 2)

jerky ²

/ (ˈdʒɜːkɪ) /

noun

another word for jerk 2 (def. 2)