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

Steer Smoothly Avoid sharp turns or jerky movements that can lead to skidding. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 25 Jan. 2025

The Delicious Darkness of Squid Game Food Tie-Ins Fast food, jerky, and whisky may seem worlds apart from the deadly stakes of Squid Game, but these tie-ins have tapped into the show's global resonance. —Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025

Noun

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

By turning sobering themes into something tangible—like sweet-and-spicy jerky or a playful pink bun—brands tap into the tension between indulgence and introspection. —Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 15 Jan. 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)