How to pronounce jerk
Say it like JURK. Jerk is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
- JURK
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Jerk pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- JURKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
American vs British pronunciation of jerk
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: JURK.
What does jerk mean?
- A sudden, often uncontrolled movement, especially of the human body.
- A quick pull on something.“When I yell "OK," give the mooring line a good jerk!”
- A lift in which the weight is taken with a quick motion from shoulder height to a position above the head with arms fully extended and held there for a brief time.
- To make a sudden uncontrolled movement.
- To give a quick, often unpleasant tug or shake.
- To lift using a jerk.
- A rich, spicy Jamaican marinade.
- Meat (or sometimes vegetables) cured by jerking, in which it is coated in spices and slow-cooked over a fire or grill traditionally composed of green pimento wood positioned over burning coals; charqui.“Jerk chicken is a local favorite.”
Where does jerk come from?
Probably from Middle English yerk (“sudden motion”) and Middle English yerkid (“tightly pulled”), from Old English ġearc (“ready, active, quick”) and Old English ġearcian (“to prepare, make ready, procure, furnish, supply”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with jerk
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of jerk.
Questions about saying jerk
How do you pronounce jerk?
Say JURK. The American pronunciation is /dʒɝk/. In British English it is /dʒɜːk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in jerk?
Jerk is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: JURK.
Is jerk pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /dʒɜːk/ (JURK).