Startle: meaning, definitions and examples

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startle

 

[ หˆstษ‘หrt(ษ™)l ]

Verb / Noun
Context #1 | Verb

sudden reaction

To cause someone to feel sudden shock or alarm, often making them jump or shout.

Synonyms

alarm, frighten, shock, surprise

Examples of usage

  • He was startled by the loud noise.
  • The unexpected bang startled the cat.
  • She was startled to see her ex-boyfriend at the party.
Context #2 | Noun

feeling

A sudden feeling of shock or alarm.

Synonyms

alarm, fright, shock, surprise

Examples of usage

  • She felt a startle when the door slammed.
  • His sudden appearance gave her a startle.

Translations

Translations of the word "startle" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น sobressaltar

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคšเฅŒเค‚เค•เคพ เคฆเฅ‡เคจเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช erschrecken

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ mengejutkan

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฝะฐะปัะบะฐั‚ะธ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ zaskoczyฤ‡

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ้ฉšใ‹ใ›ใ‚‹ (odorokaseru)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท effrayer

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ asustar

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท korkutmak

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋†€๋ผ๊ฒŒ ํ•˜๋‹ค (nollage hada)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฃุฑุนุจ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ vydฤ›sit

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ vystraลกiลฅ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆƒŠๅ“ (jฤซngxiร )

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ prestraลกiti

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ hrรฆรฐa

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ัˆะพัˆั‹ั‚ัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒจแƒ”แƒจแƒ˜แƒœแƒ”แƒ‘แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ qorxutmaq

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ asustar

Etymology

The word 'startle' originated in the late Middle English period, derived from the Middle Low German word 'starlen', meaning 'quicken'. Over time, it evolved to its current usage in the English language, focusing on the sudden shock or alarm reaction. The concept of being startled has been a common human experience throughout history, often linked to survival instincts and the body's fight-or-flight response.

See also: restart, startable, starter, starting, startled, upstart.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,472, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.