English Explanatory Dictionary

startle

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To move suddenly, or be excited, on feeling alarm; to start.
  2. To excite by sudden alarm, surprise, or apprehension; to frighten suddenly and not seriously; to alarm; to surprise.
  3. To deter; to cause to deviate.
noun
  1. A sudden motion or shock caused by an unexpected alarm, surprise, or apprehension of danger.

Pronunciation

/ˈstɑːt(ə)l/ /ˈstɑɹt(ə)l/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-startle.wav

Word forms

startle startles startling startled

Etymology

From Middle English startlen, stertlen, stertyllen (“to rush, stumble along”), from Old English steartlian (“to kick with the foot, struggle, stumble”), equivalent to start + -le. Cognate with Old Norse stirtla (“to hobble, stagger”), Icelandic stirtla (“to straighten up, erect”). Compare also Middle English stertil (“hasty”). More at start.

Synonyms

start alarm frighten scare surprise deter

Related words

skittish

Derived words

startled startlement startle up startling upstartle startle reflex startler startlish
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