shocker

[ shok-er ]
/ ˈʃɒk ər /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR shocker ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a person or thing that shocks.
a sensational novel, play, etc.

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Origin of shocker

First recorded in 1780–90; shock1 + -er1

Words nearby shocker

shock tube, shock wave, shock-horror, shock-resistant, shock-test, shocker, shockheaded, shocking, shocking pink, shockley, shockproof

Definition for shocker (2 of 2)

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
1810–20; 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. 2020

Words related to shocker

epiphany, thriller, squeaker, disgrace, misconduct, scandal, secret, sin, wrongdoing, disclosure, discovery, exposure, sign, surprise, bombshell, divulgence, expose, spine-chiller

Example sentences from the Web for shocker

British Dictionary definitions for shocker (1 of 4)

shocker
/ (ˈʃɒkə) /

noun informal

a person or thing that shocks or horrifies
a sensational novel, film, or play

British Dictionary definitions for shocker (2 of 4)

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 shocker (3 of 4)

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 shocker (4 of 4)

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

Medical definitions for shocker

shock
[ shŏk ]

n.

v.

To induce a state of physical shock in a person.
To subject a person to an electric shock.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Scientific definitions for shocker

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.

Idioms and Phrases with shocker

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.