jerky

1 of 2

adjective

ˈjər-kē 

jerkier; jerkiest

1

a

: moving along with or marked by fits and starts

b

: characterized by abrupt transitions

2

: inane, foolish

jerkily

ˈjər-kə-lē 

adverb

jerkiness

ˈjər-kē-nəs 

noun

jerky

2 of 2

noun

jer·​ky ˈjər-kē 

: jerked meat

Synonyms

Adjective

• bumpy
• choppy
• herky-jerky
• jouncy
• rough

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

Adjective

Mine-Cart Madness really is that jerky, definitely look out for your back and neck. —Mackenzie Schmidt, People.com, 22 May 2025

No word yet on the number of types of jerky, flavors of kolaches, or length of the barbecue counter. —Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2025

Noun

Pick up one or two items, like a couple of energy bars or some beef jerky, each paycheck. —Malaka Gharib, NPR, 7 May 2025

This addictive snack is made with the producer’s oyster mushrooms and those meaty fungi manage to pull off a chewy texture that comes close to the original beef jerky. —Leslie Kelly, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025

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

Phrases Containing jerky

• herky-jerky

Rhymes for jerky

• murky
• perky
• quirky
• turki

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

: stupid, foolish

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)