shock
18 ENTRIES FOUND:
- shock (noun)
- shock (verb)
- shock (adjective)
- shock (noun)
- shocking (adjective)
- shocking pink (noun)
- shock absorber (noun)
- shock jock (noun)
- shock therapy (noun)
- shock troops (noun)
- shock wave (noun)
- culture shock (noun)
- shell shock (noun)
- shell–shocked (adjective)
- sticker shock (noun)
- toxic shock syndrome (noun)
- horror (noun)
- system (noun)
plural
shocks
plural
shocks
Britannica Dictionary definition of SHOCK
1
a
[count]
:
a sudden usually unpleasant or upsetting feeling caused by something unexpected
— usually singular
— often + of
—
see also culture shock, sticker shock
-
If you haven't been there for a while, prepare yourself for a shock: the place has changed a lot.
-
a terrible/nasty shock
-
You're in for a big/rude shock if you think this job will be easy.
-
the shock of discovering that someone you love has betrayed you
-
He got the shock of his life [=he was very unpleasantly surprised] when he saw his own name on the list.
b
[count]
:
something unexpected that causes a sudden usually unpleasant or upsetting feeling
— usually singular
-
Seeing his parents at the rock concert was a shock.
-
Her death came as a shock to the family.
-
It came as quite a shock.
-
It is something of a shock to learn/discover that she is guilty.
c
[noncount]
:
a state in which you are experiencing a sudden usually unpleasant or upsetting feeling because of something unexpected
-
She stood there in shock as he told her what had happened.
-
They were in a state of shock after hearing the news. = They were in shock over the news.
d
[count]
:
a sudden bad change in something
-
Unfortunately, it's the poor who are most vulnerable to this kind of economic shock.
-
oil/energy price shocks
2
[noncount]
medical
:
a serious condition in which the body is not able to get enough blood to all the parts of the body
—
see also shell shock, toxic shock syndrome
◊ Shock is caused by a severe injury, a large loss of blood, etc.
-
She was treated/hospitalized for shock after the accident.
-
He was in (a state of) shock. = He was suffering from shock.
3
[count]
:
the effect of a strong charge of electricity passing through the body of a person or animal
— usually singular
-
When the wires touched, I got a shock.
-
an electric shock
-
I walked across the carpet and then got a shock when I touched the metal doorknob.
4
5
:
a violent shake
— often + of
[count]
-
an earthquake shock
-
The building is made to withstand large shocks.
-
the shock of the explosion
[noncount]
-
The car's bumper absorbs shock on impact.
a shock to the/your system
:
something that has a sudden and usually unpleasant effect on you
-
The cold weather was a shock to my system after being in the tropics.
-
For freshmen, college life can be a real shock to the system.
—
compare 4shock
2
shock
/ˈʃɑːk/
verb
shocks;
shocked;
shocking
2
shock
/ˈʃɑːk/
verb
shocks;
shocked;
shocking
Britannica Dictionary definition of SHOCK
1
[+ object]
:
to surprise and usually upset (someone)
— often used as (be) shocked
— often + at or by
— often + into
-
The attack shocked the world.
-
His anger shocked us.
-
They were shocked to discover/learn that their son was taking drugs.
-
I am shocked at/by how easy it was to do.
-
Everyone was deeply shocked at/by her behavior.
-
We were shocked by the news of her death.
-
We were shocked into silence by what we saw. [=we were so surprised and upset by what we saw that we could not say anything]
-
The news was so upsetting that people were finally shocked into (taking) action.
2
:
to cause (someone) to feel horror or disgust
[+ object]
-
He enjoys shocking his readers.
-
I was shocked by their bad language.
[no object]
-
The art exhibit is meant to shock.
— shocked
adjective-
She had a shocked look on her face.
-
He stood in shocked silence after hearing the news.
3
shock
/ˈʃɑːk/
adjective
3
shock
/ˈʃɑːk/
adjective
Britannica Dictionary definition of SHOCK
always used before a noun
— used to describe something that surprises and usually upsets people
-
Bikinis have lost their shock effect. [=bikinis no longer shock people]
-
It was a shock [=very surprising] defeat/victory for the team.
-
He dresses as a woman for shock value. [=in order to shock people]
-
I don't think there's anything wrong with using shock tactics [=actions, images, stories, etc., that surprise and upset people] to discourage people from driving while drunk.
-
shock radio/TV [=radio/television programs that are meant to shock and usually offend people]
shock horror
British, informal
— used to say that you are surprised by something unpleasant or upsetting when you really are not
-
Teenagers are—shock horror—having sex.
4
shock
/ˈʃɑːk/
noun
plural
shocks
4
shock
/ˈʃɑːk/
noun
plural
shocks
Britannica Dictionary definition of SHOCK
[count]
:
a thick and full mass of hair
— usually singular
—
compare 1shock
