Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Characterized by abrupt, sharp movements or stops: Describes motion that is not smooth, but rather consists of sudden starts and stops.
   • Foolish or ridiculous: Describes something or someone that is stupid or silly.

2. Noun:

   • A type of dried, seasoned meat: Meat, typically beef, that has been cut into long strips, cured, and dried.

Usage and Examples

• Adjective:

  • The car moved in a jerky motion over the rough road. (The car's movement was abrupt and bumpy.)
  • His jerky handwriting was difficult to read. (His writing had uneven, sharp lines.)
  • That was a jerky thing to say. (That was a foolish or insensitive remark.)

• Noun:

  • We packed beef jerky for the hiking trip. (We brought dried beef strips for sustenance on the hike.)
  • He prefers turkey jerky over the traditional beef kind. (He likes dried turkey meat more than dried beef.)

Advanced Usage

• "Jerky" as an adjective can describe more than physical motion. It can describe anything lacking smoothness or continuity.
  • The film's editing was jerky and confusing. (The transitions between scenes were abrupt and disjointed.)
  • She gave a jerky nod. (Her nod was a quick, sharp, and ungraceful movement.)

Variants and Related Words

• Jerkily (adverb): In a jerky manner.
  • The old elevator ascended jerkily.
• Jerkiness (noun): The quality of being jerky.
  • The jerkiness of the ride was unpleasant.

Synonyms

• Adjective (for movement): Choppy, spasmodic, abrupt, uneven, shaky.
• Adjective (for foolishness): Foolish, asinine, dopey, ridiculous.
• Noun: Dried meat, pemmican (a specific type of dried meat paste).

Antonyms

• Adjective (for movement): Smooth, fluid, even, steady, graceful.

Adjective

1. having or revealing stupidity
   • ridiculous anserine behavior
   • a dopey answer
   • a dopey kid
   • some fool idea about rewriting authors' books
2. marked by abrupt transitions
   • choppy prose
3. lacking a steady rhythm
   • an arrhythmic heartbeat

Noun

1. meat (especially beef) cut in strips and dried in the sun