/dʒɜːk/
#1635 of 5,000 Core 5000
Translation
An unkind or stupid person. It is an informal insult, milder than a swear word but still rude.
Word origin
From an older sense of jerk, a quick sharp pull. The insult grew in American English around 1930.
- Origin
- English
- Root
- jerk
Grammar
Gender
Pluraljerks
Examples
.
A "jerk" behaves badly towards other people.
.
"A real jerk" makes the insult stronger.
.
You can call yourself a jerk when you know you were wrong.
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Go to my review queueThis word is part of lesson 33.