shock

noun

UK /ʃɒk/

Word Forms

singular	shock
plural	shocks

1
singular/uncountable the feeling of being very surprised by something bad that happens unexpectedly
Jessica’s face was blank with shock.
News of the murder left us all in shock.
give someone a shock:
It will give him a shock when he sees how much you’ve spent.
get a shock:
My mother got a shock when she saw my new haircut.
Synonyms and related words
Feelings of surprise and shock
surprise
shock
astonishment
Collocates
Verbs frequently used with shock as the object
▪ experience, feel, get, have, receive, suffer
2
countable usually singularsomething that happens unexpectedly and makes you feel very surprised and upset
The price of housing was quite a shock for us.
come as a shock:
The announcement came as a complete shock to me.
a great/terrible shock:
It was a terrible shock to discover he was already married.
Synonyms and related words
Surprises and shocking events
surprise
shock
blow
1. 2a
  only before nounBritishmainly journalismmaking someone surprised or upset
  shock defeat/win:
  The tournament started yesterday with two shock defeats.
  Synonyms and related words
  Making you feel shocked or appalled
  shocking
  appalling
  outrageous
Collocates
Adjectives frequently used with shock
▪ big, great, nasty, severe, terrible
3
uncountable a medical condition in which you suddenly become very weak and cold and do not react normally, especially after a serious accident or injury
people suffering from shock
in shock:
Natalie was used to working with patients in shock.
Synonyms and related words
Specific medical conditions
acidity
acne
ADD
4
countable a sudden flow of electricity that goes through your body that sometimes happens when you touch certain objects
You could get an electric shock if you touch it.
Synonyms and related words
Electricity and electrical power
AC
active
alternating current
5
singular hair that is very thick
The man had a shock of white hair.
Synonyms and related words
General words for hair and amounts of hair
a bald patch
a lock of hair
alopecia
6
countable informala shock absorber
Synonyms and related words
Equipment and systems in cars and other road vehicles
ABS
acceleration
air brake

phrases

be in for a shock

shock

noun

US /ʃɑk/

Word Forms

singular	shock
plural	shocks

1
singular/uncountable the feeling of being very surprised by something bad that happens unexpectedly
Jessica’s face was blank with shock.
News of the murder left us all in shock.
give someone a shock:
It will give him a shock when he sees how much you’ve spent.
get a shock:
My mother got a shock when she saw my new haircut.
Synonyms and related words
Feelings of surprise and shock
surprise
shock
astonishment
Collocates
Verbs frequently used with shock as the object
▪ experience, feel, get, have, receive, suffer
2
countable usually singularsomething that happens unexpectedly and makes you feel very surprised and upset
The price of the ring was quite a shock for us.
come as a shock:
The announcement came as a complete shock to me.
a great/terrible shock:
It was a terrible shock to discover he was already married.
Synonyms and related words
Surprises and shocking events
surprise
shock
blow
Collocates
Adjectives frequently used with shock
▪ big, great, nasty, severe, terrible
3
uncountable a medical condition in which you suddenly become very weak and cold and do not react normally, especially after a serious accident or injury
people suffering from shock
in shock:
Natalie was used to working with patients in shock.
Synonyms and related words
Specific medical conditions
acidity
acne
ADD
4
countable a sudden flow of electricity that goes through your body that sometimes happens when you touch certain objects
You could get an electric shock if you touch it.
Synonyms and related words
Electricity and electrical power
AC
active
alternating current
5
singular hair that is very thick
The man had a shock of white hair.
Synonyms and related words
General words for hair and amounts of hair
a bald patch
a lock of hair
alopecia
6
countable informala shock absorber
Synonyms and related words
Equipment and systems in cars and other road vehicles
ABS
acceleration
air brake

phrases

be in for a shock

shock

verb

UK /ʃɒk/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	shock
he/she/it	shocks
present participle	shocking
past tense	shocked
past participle	shocked

1
transitive if something bad and unexpected shocks someone, they are very surprised or upset by it
The news shocked everyone.
We were all shocked by the lies he told.
Synonyms and related words
To make someone feel shocked or surprised
surprise
shock
shake up
2
intransitive/transitive to make someone feel embarrassed or offended by saying or doing something offensive or immoral
He only says things like that to shock you.
Synonyms and related words
To insult or offend someone
insult
offend
wound
Synonyms and related words
To make someone feel shocked or surprised
surprise
shock
shake up
3
transitive to give someone an electric shock
Synonyms and related words
Electricity and electrical power
AC
active
alternating current

shock

verb

US /ʃɑk/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	shock
he/she/it	shocks
present participle	shocking
past tense	shocked
past participle	shocked

1
transitive if something bad and unexpected shocks someone, they are very surprised or upset by it
The news shocked everyone.
We were all shocked by the lies he told.
Synonyms and related words
To make someone feel shocked or surprised
surprise
shock
shake up
2
transitive to give someone an electric shock
Synonyms and related words
Electricity and electrical power
AC
active
alternating current
3
intransitive/transitive to make someone feel embarrassed or offended by saying or doing something offensive or immoral
He only says things like that to shock you.
Synonyms and related words
To insult or offend someone
insult
offend
wound
Synonyms and related words
To make someone feel shocked or surprised
surprise
shock
shake up

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