jostle

[ jos-uhl ]

verb (used with object)

, jos·tled, jos·tling.

1. to bump, push, shove, brush against, or elbow roughly or rudely.
2. to drive or force by, or as if by, pushing or shoving:

   The crowd jostled him into the subway.

3. to exist in close contact or proximity with:

   The three families jostle each other in the small house.

4. to contend with:

   rival gangs continually jostling each other.

5. to unsettle; disturb:

   The thought jostled her complacency.

6. Slang. to pick the pocket of.

verb (used without object)

, jos·tled, jos·tling.

1. to bump or brush against someone or something, as in passing or in a crowd; push or shove (often followed by with, for, or against ):

   He jostled for position.

2. to exist in close contact or proximity with someone or something.
3. to compete; contend.
4. Slang. to pick pockets.

noun

1. a shock, push, bump, or brush against someone or something.

jostle

/ ˈdʒɒsəl /

verb

1. to bump or push (someone) roughly
2. to come or bring into contact
3. to force (one's way) by pushing

noun

1. the act of jostling
2. a rough bump or push

Derived Forms

• ˈjostler, noun
• ˈjostlement, noun

Other Words From

• jostle·ment noun
• jostler noun
• un·jostled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of jostle¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; variant (in Middle English, variant spelling) of justle, equivalent to just(en) “to joust” + -le; joust

Word History and Origins

Origin of jostle¹

C14: see joust

Example Sentences

A hijacker who wears an explosive belt that goes off with the slightest jostle, or protesters who chain themselves to the tracks in front of a train carrying fuel to a nuclear plant, cannot be scared away from their mission.

From Nautilus

The cops gingerly transported King to a hospital, rightly guessing that the slightest jostle could have proved fatal.

From The Daily Beast

Merchandise meetings and legal jargon jostle uncomfortably with superheroics, pajama parties with saving the world.

From The Daily Beast

Outside of the U.S. embassy, thousands of Americans and Haitians jostle daily for a ticket off the island.

From The Daily Beast

The two chief bears rush at the Master and the other bears jostle round them, egging them on.

From Project Gutenberg

In short, he may gratify his every whim and fancy, without a pang of reposing conscience, or the least jostle of his self-respect.

From Project Gutenberg

The people crowd, the groundlings jostle, men of quality press forward to the platform.

From Project Gutenberg

In Oxford and Cambridge town and University are mixed together; shops jostle and elbow colleges in the streets.

From Project Gutenberg

The count also had dealings with the silversmith; for in the quartier Juif all classes meet and jostle each other.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• hustle
• scramble
• shove