jerky

1 of 2

adjective

jerkier; jerkiest
1
a
: moving along with or marked by fits and starts
b
: characterized by abrupt transitions
2
jerkily adverb
jerkiness noun

jerky

2 of 2

noun

jer·​ky ˈjər-kē How to pronounce jerky (audio)
: jerked meat

Examples of jerky in a Sentence

Adjective The movie was jerky and hard to watch. made jerky progress walking with the new crutches
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
These aren’t jerky, pre-programmed movements, but something more fluid and adaptive — the result of a new AI model called Gemini Robotics that the company unveiled earlier this month. Jackie Snow, Quartz, 24 Mar. 2025 The group choreography is somehow both jerky and smooth, sprinkled with flashes of individual freestyle brilliance. Sheldon Pearce, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
Beef jerky sticks shipped to California stores are being recalled due to potential contamination. Sarah Linn, Sacramento Bee, 25 Mar. 2025 The Winter Park Farmers’ Market takes place on Saturday mornings all year long and supplies locals and visitors alike with their fresh offerings, from baked goods and bagels to unique jerkies. Skye Sherman, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for jerky

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

jerk entry 2 + -y entry 1

Noun

borrowed from American Spanish charqui (borrowed from southern Peruvian Quechua ch'arki), conformed to jerk entry 4 and earlier jerked

First Known Use

Adjective

1670, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1850, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of jerky was in 1670

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Jerky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jerky. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

jerky

1 of 2 noun
jer·​ky
ˈjər-kē
: jerked meat

jerky

2 of 2 adjective
ˈjər-kē
jerkier; jerkiest
1
: marked by jerks
a jerky ride on a dirt road
2
jerkily
-kə-lē
adverb
jerkiness
-kē-nəs
noun
Etymology

Noun

from Spanish charqui "jerky," from Quechua ch'arki

Adjective

jerk (noun) and -y (adjective suffix)

More from Merriam-Webster on jerky

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