Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense shocks, present participle shocking, past tense, past participle shocked
1. countable noun
If you have a shock, something suddenly happens which is unpleasant, upsetting, or very surprising.
The extent of the violence came as a shock.
He has never recovered from the shock of your brother's death. [+ of]
It was quite a shock to see my face on that screen!
Synonyms: upset, blow, trauma, bombshell More Synonyms of shock
2. uncountable noun
Shock is a person's emotional and physical condition when something very frightening or upsetting has happened to them.
The little boy was speechless with shock.
She's still in a state of shock.
3. uncountable noun [oft inNOUN]
If someone is inshock, they are suffering from a serious physical condition in which their blood is not flowing round their body properly,for example because they have had a bad injury.
He was found beaten and in shock.
They escaped the blaze but were rushed to hospital suffering from shock.
Synonyms: trauma, collapse, breakdown, daze More Synonyms of shock
4. verb
If something shocks you, it makes you feel very upset, because it involves death or suffering and because you had not expected it.
After forty years in the police force nothing much shocks me. [VERB noun]
Relief workers were shocked by what they saw. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: shake, stun, stagger, jar More Synonyms of shock
shockedadjective
This was a nasty attack and the woman is still very shocked.
5. verb
If someone or something shocks you, it upsets or offends you because you think it is rude or morally wrong.
You can't shock me. [VERB noun]
They were easily shocked in those days. [beVERB-ed]
We were always trying to be creative and to shock. [VERB]
Synonyms: horrify, appal, disgust, outrage More Synonyms of shock
shockedadjective
Don't look so shocked.
6. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
A shock announcement or event is one which shocks people because it is unexpected.
[journalism]
...the shock announcement that she is to resign.
...a shock defeat.
Synonyms: surprise, surprising, unexpected, startling More Synonyms of shock
7. countable noun [usually with supplement]
A shock is something sudden and unexpected that threatens the economy, traditions, or way of life of a group of people.
[journalism]
This is the latest in a series of shocks to the banking system.
...the economic pain of two oil shocks.
8. variable noun
A shock is the force of something suddenly hitting or pulling something else.
Steel barriers can bend and absorb the shock.
Synonyms: impact, blow, jolt, clash More Synonyms of shock
9. countable noun
A shock is the same as an electric shock.
10. countable noun
A shock is a shock absorber.
[US]
Do you think I need new shocks?
11. countable noun
A shock of hair is a very thick mass of hair on a person's head.
[written]
...a very old priest with a shock of white hair. [+ of]
Synonyms: mass, head, mop, tangle More Synonyms of shock
12. See also shocking, culture shock, electric shock, shell shock
13.
See short, sharp shock
More Synonyms of shock
shock in British English1
(ʃɒk)
verb
1.
to experience or cause to experience extreme horror, disgust, surprise, etc
the atrocities shocked us
she doesn't shock easily
2.
to cause a state of shock in (a person)
3.
to come or cause to come into violent contact; jar
noun
4.
a sudden and violent jarring blow or impact
5.
something that causes a sudden and violent disturbance in the emotions
the shock of her father's death made her ill
6. pathology
a state of bodily collapse or near collapse caused by circulatory failure or sudden lowering of the blood pressure, as from severe bleeding, burns, fright, etc
7. pathology
pain and muscular spasm as the physical reaction to an electric current passing through the body
Derived forms
shockable (ˈshockable)
adjective
shockability (ˌshockaˈbility)
noun
Word origin
C16: from Old French choc, from choquier to make violent contact with, of Germanic origin; related to Middle High German schoc
shock in British English2
(ʃɒk)
noun
1.
a number of sheaves set on end in a field to dry
2.
a pile or stack of unthreshed corn
verb
3. (transitive)
to set up (sheaves) in shocks
Word origin
C14: probably of Germanic origin; compare Middle Low German, Middle Dutch schok shock of corn, group of sixty
shock in British English3
(ʃɒk)
noun
1.
a thick bushy mass, esp of hair
adjective
2. rare
bushy; shaggy
Word origin
C19: perhaps from shock2
shock in American English1
(ʃɑk)
noun
1.
the impact of persons, forces, etc. in combat or collision
2.
a.
a sudden, powerful concussion; violent blow, shake, or jar
the shock of an earthquake
b.
the result or effect of such concussion
3.
a.
any sudden disturbance or agitation of the mind or emotions, as through great loss or surprise
b.
something causing this
4.
an extreme stimulation of the nerves, muscles, etc. accompanying the passage of electric current through the body
5. Informal
shock absorber
6. Medicine
a disorder resulting from ineffective circulation of the blood, produced by hemorrhage, severe infection, disturbance of heart function, etc., and characterized by a marked decrease in blood pressure, a weak, rapid pulse, decreased kidney function, etc.
verb transitive
7.
to disturb the mind or emotions of; affect with great surprise, distress, disgust, etc.
8.
to affect with physical shock
9.
to produce electrical shock in (a body)
verb intransitive
10. Archaic
to come together violently; collide
11.
to be shocked, distressed, disgusted, etc.
she doesn't shock easily
adjective
12. Informal
of or characterized by content that is intentionally shocking, offensive, vulgar, etc.
shock art, shock radio
see also shock jock
Word origin
Fr choc < MFr choquer, prob. < MDu schokken, to collide < IE *skeug-, to push, shoot, var. of base *skeub(h)-, shove
shock in American English2
(ʃɑk)
noun
1.
a pile of grain sheaves, as of corn or wheat, stacked together on end to cure and dry
verb transitive, verb intransitive
2.
to gather and pile in shocks
Word origin
ME schokke, prob. via MDu or MLowG schok < IE *(s)keug- < base *keu-, to bend, arch > Russ kuča, a pile, heap: basic sense “rounded heap”
shock in American English3
(ʃɑk)
noun
1.
a thick, bushy or tangled mass, as of hair
adjective
2.
bushy or shaggy, as hair
Word origin
< ? shock2
COBUILD Collocations
shock
bill shock
complete shock
nasty shock
spring a shock
Examples of 'shock' in a sentence
shock
Confidence will also be hit badly if there is another unexpected shock.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
People will be shocked at something like this happening here.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The biggest thing these people have is culture shock.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
It was a shock to see the intensity of their feelings over a seemingly minor issue.
Christianity Today (2000)
That financial shock has become an economic shock.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
When the pins are too close together like this there is a risk of electric shock.
The Sun (2012)
We meet the morning after the shock announcement on the dividend.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
That is why his death was a shock.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Details of the attack have shocked a city hardened to violence.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
You can only imagine the shock and disgust that followed.
The Sun (2012)
Their legs are far better at absorbing shock than ours.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Solicitors who handle claimant personal injury claims are shocked.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The shocks to the economy from abroad are ominous.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
This may come as a shock to those who have just perfected the flick and go.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Will the experience shock him into changing his ways?
The Sun (2010)
They answered civil questions and were a little shocked to hear laughter from the room where the body lay.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Secondly, it helps to absorb the shock caused by impact with the ground.
Lamplugh, Diana & Sterwin, Diana & Nottidge, Pamela Survive the Nine to Five - a woman's guide to working well (1989)
Once the initial shock of the collapse wears off, this crisis presents a fresh opportunity.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Yeah, it was a big shock.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The bubble is about to burst, but the extent of the shock that this could cause cannot be predicted.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
He can leave the gel at home for once as the shock stands his hair on end - but miraculously he feels no pain.
The Sun (2010)
It can also react badly to emotional strain and mild shock conditions following accidents, or trauma following heavy outpouring of adrenalin and a lot of excitement.
Andrews, Elizabeth Muscle Management (1991)
In other languages
shock
British English: shock /ʃɒk/ NOUN
If you have a shock, you suddenly have an unpleasant or surprising experience.
It took me a very long time to get over the shock of her death.
American English: shock
Arabic: صَدْمَة
Brazilian Portuguese: choque
Chinese: 休克
Croatian: šok
Czech: šok
Danish: chok
Dutch: shock
European Spanish: impresión desagradable
Finnish: isku tärähdys tai järkytys
French: choc
German: Schock
Greek: σοκ
Italian: shock
Japanese: 衝撃
Korean: 충격
Norwegian: sjokk
Polish: wstrząs
European Portuguese: choque
Romanian: șoc
Russian: шок
Latin American Spanish: impresión alteración
Swedish: chock
Thai: ความตกใจ
Turkish: şok
Ukrainian: шок
Vietnamese: cú sốc
British English: shock /ʃɒk/ VERB
If something shocks you, it makes you feel very upset.
Her behaviour shocked her friends.
American English: shock
Arabic: يَصْدِمُ
Brazilian Portuguese: chocar
Chinese: 打击
Croatian: šokirati
Czech: šokovat
Danish: chokere
Dutch: schokken
European Spanish: conmocionar
Finnish: järkyttää
French: choquer
German: schockieren
Greek: σοκάρω
Italian: scioccare
Japanese: 衝撃を与える
Korean: 충격을 주다
Norwegian: sjokkere
Polish: wstrząsnąć
European Portuguese: chocar
Romanian: a șoca
Russian: шокировать
Latin American Spanish: conmocionar
Swedish: chocka
Thai: ทำให้ตกใจ
Turkish: şok geçirmek
Ukrainian: шокувати
Vietnamese: gây sốc
All related terms of 'shock'
bill shock
If you have a shock , something suddenly happens which is unpleasant , upsetting , or very surprising .
corn shock
a stack or bundle of bound or unbound corn piled upright for curing or drying
nasty shock
If you have a shock , something suddenly happens which is unpleasant , upsetting , or very surprising .
shell shock
Shell shock is the confused or nervous mental condition of people who have been under fire in a war .
shock jock
A shock jock is a radio disc jockey who deliberately uses language or expresses opinions that many people find offensive .
shock tube
an apparatus in which a gas is heated to very high temperatures by means of a shock wave , usually for spectroscopic investigation of the natures and reactions of the resulting radicals and excited molecules
shock wave
A shock wave is an area of very high pressure moving through the air , earth , or water. It is caused by an explosion or an earthquake , or by an object travelling faster than sound .
culture shock
Culture shock is a feeling of anxiety , loneliness, and confusion that people sometimes experience when they first arrive in another country.
future shock
the inability to cope with the rapid and myriad changes of modern society, or the distress resulting from this
insulin shock
the abnormal condition caused by an overdose or excess secretion of insulin , resulting in a sudden reduction in the sugar content of the blood: it is characterized by tremors , cold sweat , convulsions , and coma
shock factor
A factor is one of the things that affects an event, decision , or situation.
shock-horror
A shock horror story is presented in a way that is intended to cause great shock or anger .
shock result
A result is the situation that exists at the end of a contest .
shock tactic
Shock tactics are a way of trying to influence people's attitudes to a particular matter by shocking them.
shock tactics
shock tactics are a way of trying to influence people's attitudes to a particular matter by shocking them
shock therapy
You can refer to the use of extreme policies or actions to solve a particular problem quickly as shock therapy .
shock troops
Shock troops are soldiers who are specially trained to carry out a quick attack .
sticker shock
the surprise and dismay supposedly experienced by consumers when confronted with high or greatly increased prices, esp. the sticker price of a new automobile
thermal shock
a fluctuation in temperature causing stress in a material. It often results in fracture , esp in brittle materials such as ceramics
acoustic shock
a condition characterized by dizziness and partial hearing loss suffered by some people exposed to sudden loud noises over telephone or radio headsets ; associated esp with workers in call centres
complete shock
If you have a shock , something suddenly happens which is unpleasant , upsetting , or very surprising .
electric shock
If you get an electric shock , you get a sudden painful feeling when you touch something which is connected to a supply of electricity .
shock absorber
A shock absorber is a device fitted near the wheels of a car or other vehicle to reduce the effects of travelling over uneven ground .
shock probation
the release on probation of a criminal after brief imprisonment
shock resistant
not affected by impact
shock treatment
Shock treatment is the same as shock therapy .
surgical shock
a state of shock that can occur during or after surgery
anaphylactic shock
a severe , sometimes fatal , reaction to a substance to which a person has an extreme sensitivity , often involving respiratory difficulty and circulation failure
electrical shock
the physiological reaction, characterized by pain and muscular spasm , to the passage of an electric current through the body. It can affect the respiratory system and heart rhythm
shock and awe
the strategy of using overwhelming force at the outset of a conflict in order to break the enemy's will to resist
spring a shock
If you have a shock , something suddenly happens which is unpleasant, upsetting , or very surprising .
shock the audience
The audience at a play, concert , film, or public meeting is the group of people watching or listening to it.
short sharp shock
A short, sharp shock is a punishment that is fairly harsh and severe but only lasts for a short time.
electro-shock baton
a baton used as a weapon to pass an electric current through part of the body
toxic shock syndrome
a potentially fatal condition, characterized by fever , stomachache , a painful rash , and a drop in blood pressure, that is caused by staphylococcal blood poisoning . In women it is most commonly caused by a retained tampon during menstruation
prank flash
a short film or animation linked surreptitiously to an innocuous website , intended to shock unsuspecting and easily-offended users of the internet