shock

- definition

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noun

/ʃɑk/

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.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of shock
Collocations: shock
▪ experience, feel, get, have, receive, suffer
2
[countable] [usually singular] something 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.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of shock
Collocations: 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.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of shock
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.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of shock
5
[singular] hair that is very thick
The man had a shock of white hair.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of shock
6
[countable] informal a shock absorber
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of shock

phrase

be in for a shock
used for saying someone is going to experience a shock in the future
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of shock

This is the American English definition of shock. View British English definition of shock.

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