jerky
1characterized by jerks or sudden starts; spasmodic.
Slang. silly; foolish; stupid; ridiculous.
Origin of jerky
1Other words from jerky
- jerk·i·ly, adverb
- jerk·i·ness, noun
Words Nearby jerky
Other definitions for jerky (2 of 2)
meat, especially beef, that has been cut in strips and preserved by drying in the sun; jerked meat.
Origin of jerky
2- Also jerk.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use jerky in a sentence
As she pulled the rack out in jerky inch-by-inch increments, she gasped so loud the room fell silent.
Puerto Rican pernil is a standout Thanksgiving roast. Just guard that crispy skin. | Monti Carlo | November 18, 2021 | Washington PostHe snacked on typical thru-hiker fare—jerky, individually-wrapped pastries, chips—and did push-ups along the way, hoping to keep some upper body strength.
Could Thru-Hiking Be Bad For Your Health? A New Study Makes a Troubling Find. | syadron | July 14, 2021 | Outside OnlineAs a person who loses stuff and moves in a jerky fashion perfect for flinging out earbuds, the idea of truly wireless Bluetooth earbuds still worries me a little.
Jaybird Run wireless earbud review: solid sound for your sweat and swole sessions | empire | June 24, 2021 | Popular-ScienceWhen the orchestra lit into a fast and jerky rhythm, Birkin attempted to drag him onto the dance floor.
Jane Birkin is back with a new album, but her presence is everlasting | Jeff Weiss | March 19, 2021 | Washington PostHe may be right, but the two companies could be more ambitious than just vegan Doritos and make snacks that have been largely neglected by plant-based meat producers, like beef jerky or pork rinds.
Beyond Meat and Pepsi are teaming up to make plant-based snacks and drinks | Dylan Matthews | January 27, 2021 | Vox
They became so brown and shriveled that they looked like walking beef jerky with New York accents.
Powerful Congressman Writes About ‘Fleshy Breasts’ | Asawin Suebsaeng | January 7, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTYou, too, will be zipping along to the angular guitars and zigzagging, herky-jerky vocals.
The 10 Best Albums of 2014: Taylor Swift, Sia, Run the Jewels, and More | Marlow Stern | December 28, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTHe's so white he's almost mock-white, and so are his jerky, long-necked, mechanical-man movements.
The Stacks: Pauline Kael's Talking Heads Obsession | Pauline Kael | November 22, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTI sent him some caribou jerky from Alaska to help keep up his strength on the Senate floor.
Nostalgia Act: The Great Sarah Palin Revival Tour of 2013 | Nick Gillespie | June 18, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTIt was superficial and jumpy and herky-jerky, bopping all over the place.
Debate III: Obama Wins, But Does It Do Him Any Good? | Michael Tomasky | October 23, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTEach sentence came as if torn piecemeal from his unwilling tongue; short, jerky phrases, conceived in pain and delivered in agony.
Raw Gold | Bertrand W. SinclairNervous and jerky he walked to the center of the stage, and raised his hand begging silence.
The Fifth String | John Philip SousaWith jerky motions the black monster drew down, the water rippling and gurgling along the sides.
Menotah | Ernest G. HenhamHe knocked the ashes from his cigar and threw out his arms with one of his odd, jerky gestures.
A Hoosier Chronicle | Meredith NicholsonHe spoke in very fair language, short, jerky sentences, but well-chosen words.
The Hills and the Vale | Richard Jefferies
British Dictionary definitions for jerky (1 of 2)
/ (ˈdʒɜːkɪ) /
characterized by jerks; spasmodic
Derived forms of jerky
- jerkily, adverb
- jerkiness, noun
British Dictionary definitions for jerky (2 of 2)
/ (ˈdʒɜːkɪ) /
another word for jerk 2 (def. 2)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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