Dictionary.com

shock

1
[ shok ]
/ ʃɒk /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for: shock / shocked / shocker / shocking on Thesaurus.com
noun
verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
to undergo a shock.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of shock

1
First recorded in 1565–75; from Middle French choc “armed encounter,” noun derivative of choquer “to clash (in battle),” from Germanic (probably Frankish); compare Dutch schokken “to shake, jolt, jerk”

synonym study for shock

8. Shock, startle, paralyze, stun suggest a sudden, sharp surprise that affects one somewhat like a blow. Shock suggests a strong blow, as it were, to one's nerves, sentiments, sense of decency, etc.: The onlookers were shocked by the accident. Startle implies the sharp surprise of sudden fright: to be startled by a loud noise. Paralyze implies such a complete shock as to render one temporarily helpless: paralyzed with fear. Stun implies such a shock as bewilders or stupefies: stunned by the realization of an unpleasant truth.

OTHER WORDS FROM shock

Words nearby shock

Shoah, shoal, shoaly, shoat, shochet, shock, shock absorber, shock and awe, shock cuffs, shocker, shock front

Other definitions for shock (2 of 3)

shock2
[ shok ]
/ ʃɒk /
noun
a group of sheaves of grain placed on end and supporting one another in the field.
verb (used with object)
to make into shocks.

Origin of shock

2
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English shok, shocke, shok(k)e; cognate with Middle Low German, Low German scok, schok, all meaning “shock of grain, group of sixty,” German Schock “sixty”

OTHER WORDS FROM shock

shocker, noun

Other definitions for shock (3 of 3)

shock3
[ shok ]
/ ʃɒk /
noun
a thick, bushy mass, as of hair.
Also shock dog . a dog with long, shaggy hair.
adjective
shaggy, as hair.

Origin of shock

3
First recorded in 1815–20; special use of shock2 (the hair being compared to a shock of wheat)
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

MORE ABOUT SHOCK

What is a basic definition of shock?

A shock is a sudden, intense mental or physical impact. Shock is also the effect of having electricity run through the body. To shock someone means to intensely surprise or horrify someone. Shock has several other senses as a noun and a verb.

The word shock often refers to a sudden mental disturbance that causes an intense emotion, usually surprise or horror. You might feel a shock when you see a failing grade on a test. The word shock can also refer to whatever causes this sudden surprise. The noun shocker and adjective shocking often refer to this sense of shock.

  • Used in a sentence: It took Julie a few minutes to recover from the shock of seeing a dancing circus bear in her living room. 

Shock is used in this same sense as a verb to mean to cause someone to be suddenly overwhelmed by emotion (usually surprise or horror).

  • Used in a sentence: I was shocked by my incredibly high phone bill.  

A shock can also be a sudden physical impact. This sense is less common than the emotional one.

  • Used in a sentence: The springs absorbed most of the shock from colliding with the wall. 

Shock also refers to the bodily imbalance, discomfort, or damage caused by electricity running through a person’s body. This sense is often specifically referred to as “an electric shock,” especially when discussing injuries or medical emergencies.

  • Used in a sentence: The electrician barely survived the electric shock he got while working on the power lines. 

In this same sense, shock is used as a verb to mean to give an electric shock to someone.

  • Used in a sentence: The squirrel was shocked by the cord while chewing on it.

Where does shock come from?

The first records of shock come from around 1565. It ultimately comes from the Old French verb choquier, meaning “to clash in batte.”

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to shock? 

  • shocker (noun)
  • shocking (adjective)
  • shockable (adjective)
  • shockability (noun)
  • shocklike (adjective)

What are some synonyms for shock?

What are some words that share a root or word element with shock?

What are some words that often get used in discussing shock?

How is shock used in real life?

Shock is a common word that most often refers to sudden surprises or electrical accidents.

Try using shock!

True or False?

If something is a shock, it is unlikely to bother someone as they expected it to happen.

Words related to shock

awe, bump, collapse, confusion, consternation, disturbance, earthquake, excitement, impact, injury, jolt, scare, trauma, agitate, anger, appall, astound, disgust, dismay, displease

How to use shock in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for shock (1 of 3)

shock1
/ (ʃɒk) /
verb
to experience or cause to experience extreme horror, disgust, surprise, etcthe atrocities shocked us; she shocks easily
to cause a state of shock in (a person)
to come or cause to come into violent contact; jar
noun

Derived forms of shock

shockable, adjectiveshockability, noun

Word Origin for shock

C16: from Old French choc, from choquier to make violent contact with, of Germanic origin; related to Middle High German schoc

British Dictionary definitions for shock (2 of 3)

shock2
/ (ʃɒk) /
noun
a number of sheaves set on end in a field to dry
a pile or stack of unthreshed corn
verb
(tr) to set up (sheaves) in shocks

Word Origin for shock

C14: probably of Germanic origin; compare Middle Low German, Middle Dutch schok shock of corn, group of sixty

British Dictionary definitions for shock (3 of 3)

shock3
/ (ʃɒk) /
noun
a thick bushy mass, esp of hair
adjective
rare bushy; shaggy

Word Origin for shock

C19: perhaps from shock 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

Scientific definitions for shock

shock
[ shŏk ]
An instance of the passage of an electric current through the body. The amount of injury caused by electric shock depends on the type and strength of the current, the length of time the current is applied, and the route the current takes once it enters the body.
A life-threatening condition marked by a severe drop in blood pressure, resulting from serious injury or illness.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Other Idioms and Phrases with shock

shock

see culture shock.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
FEEDBACK