startle
Pronunciation
[change]Verb
[change]|
Plain form |
Third-person singular |
Past tense |
Past participle |
Present participle |
- (transitive & intransitive) If you are startled, you jump or move suddenly, often opening your eyes wide, because of a surprise.
- Synonym: surprise
- She thought she was alone, but was startled to hear someone behind her..
Noun
[change]- A startle is a surprise or a fright.
- The birthday boy had a startle when we screamed "Happy birthday" from behind him.