shock
1a sudden and violent blow or impact; collision.
a sudden or violent disturbance or commotion: the shock of battle.
a sudden or violent disturbance of the mind, emotions, or sensibilities: The burglary was a shock to her sense of security. The book provided a shock, nothing more.
the cause of such a disturbance: The rebuke came as a shock.
Pathology. a collapse of circulatory function, caused by severe injury, blood loss, or disease, and characterized by pallor, sweating, weak pulse, and very low blood pressure.: Compare anaphylactic shock, cardiogenic shock, hypovolemic shock.
the physiological effect produced by the passage of an electric current through the body.
shocks, Informal. shock absorbers, especially in the suspension of an automobile.
to strike or jar with intense surprise, horror, disgust, etc.: He enjoyed shocking people.
to strike against violently.
to give an electric shock to.
to undergo a shock.
Origin of shock
1synonym study For shock
Other words for shock
Other words from shock
- shock·a·ble, adjective
- shock·a·bil·i·ty, noun
- shock·ed·ness, noun
- shocklike, adjective
- un·shock·a·bil·i·ty, noun
- un·shock·a·ble, adjective
Other definitions for shock (2 of 3)
a group of sheaves of grain placed on end and supporting one another in the field.
to make into shocks.
Origin of shock
2Other words from shock
- shocker, noun
Other definitions for shock (3 of 3)
a thick, bushy mass, as of hair.
Also shock dog . a dog with long, shaggy hair.
shaggy, as hair.
Origin of shock
3Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use shock in a sentence
I prided myself on having a mouth like a sailor, imagined myself unshockable.
He had thought himself a man of the world, experienced, unshockable.
The Roll-Call | Arnold Bennett
British Dictionary definitions for shock (1 of 3)
/ (ʃɒk) /
to experience or cause to experience extreme horror, disgust, surprise, etc: the 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
a sudden and violent jarring blow or impact
something that causes a sudden and violent disturbance in the emotions: the shock of her father's death made her ill
pathol a state of bodily collapse or near collapse caused by circulatory failure or sudden lowering of the blood pressure, as from severe bleeding, burns, fright, etc
pathol pain and muscular spasm as the physical reaction to an electric current passing through the body
Origin of shock
1Derived forms of shock
- shockable, adjective
- shockability, noun
British Dictionary definitions for shock (2 of 3)
/ (ʃɒk) /
a number of sheaves set on end in a field to dry
a pile or stack of unthreshed corn
(tr) to set up (sheaves) in shocks
Origin of shock
2British Dictionary definitions for shock (3 of 3)
/ (ʃɒk) /
a thick bushy mass, esp of hair
rare bushy; shaggy
Origin of shock
3Collins 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
[ 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
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.
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