shock
gb/ʃˈɑk/ us/ʃˈɑk/
A2
English
~ 2100
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
state
1
Sudden strong emotional reaction
A strong and sudden feeling of surprise or upset.
Usage pattern:
to be in shock
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'shock' (emotional reaction) with 'electric shock' (physical injury from electricity). Context is important.
Synonyms
surprise (Less intense and can be positive or negative.)
|
astonishment (Stronger than 'surprise', often with wonder.)
Antonyms
calmness (A state of being relaxed and not emotionally disturbed.)
Collocations
in shock
|get a shock
|feel shock
|shock and disbelief
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She was in shock after hearing the news.
- The sudden announcement left everyone in shock.
- He stared at the scene in total shock.
- Her face showed shock and confusion.
- The shock of the accident stayed with him for weeks.
Learner examples
- I was in shock when I saw the fire.
- She felt shock when she heard the loud noise.
- He stood in shock after the bad news.
- They were in shock after the big storm.
- The shock made her cry.
Noun
B2
state
2
Life-threatening medical state
A dangerous health problem when the body does not get enough blood to work well.
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse this with emotional shock; medical shock is about the body, not feelings.
Synonyms
circulatory collapse (Technical medical term for severe loss of blood flow.)
Antonyms
stability (A normal, healthy physical condition without sudden decline.)
Collocations
go into shock
|treat shock
|shock symptoms
Themes
health
|medicine
Examples
- The patient went into shock after losing too much blood.
- Shock can be fatal if not treated quickly.
- Doctors worked to prevent her from going into shock.
- Severe allergic reactions can cause shock.
- Shock requires immediate medical attention.
Learner examples
- He went into shock after the accident.
- Shock can kill if you do not get help.
- The nurse checked for signs of shock.
- Shock happens when the body has low blood flow.
- They treated him for shock.
Noun
A2
entity
3
Injury from electric current
A hurt or jolt you get when electricity goes through your body.
Synonyms
electrocution (Refers specifically to death or severe injury from electric current.)
Antonyms
safety (The state of being unharmed and out of danger.)
Collocations
electric shock
|mild shock
|get a shock
Themes
science
|safety
|health
|body
Examples
- He got a mild electric shock from the toaster.
- Electric shocks can be dangerous.
- The worker suffered a shock while fixing the wires.
- She jumped back after receiving a small shock.
- Touching live wires can give you a serious shock.
Learner examples
- I got a shock from the plug.
- He had a small electric shock.
- Do not touch it or you will get a shock.
- She got a shock when she touched the wire.
- The man got a bad shock at work.
Verb
B1
action
4
To greatly surprise or upset someone suddenly
To make someone feel strong surprise or upset suddenly.
Usage pattern:
to shock [someone]
Synonyms
upset (Less intense and more general emotional disturbance.)
|
startle (More about brief surprise, often with movement.)
Antonyms
reassure (To make someone feel calm and safe instead of upset.)
Collocations
shock the public
|shock someone deeply
|shock into action
Themes
emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The news will shock many people.
- His rude comment shocked everyone at the table.
- The violence in the movie shocked her.
- It shocked me to learn the truth.
- The teacher's sudden resignation shocked the students.
Learner examples
- The story will shock you.
- His words shocked me.
- It shocked her to see the mess.
- The bad news shocked them.
- He shocked us with his choice.
Noun
B2
event
5
Sudden physical or metaphorical impact
A sudden hit, movement, or change that causes damage or problems.
Synonyms
impact (More general term for forceful contact.)
Antonyms
stability (Lack of sudden movement or disturbance.)
Collocations
shock wave
|absorb shock
|shock absorber
Themes
science
|technology
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The building collapsed under the shock of the explosion.
- The car's suspension absorbs shocks from the road.
- Earthquakes send powerful shocks through the ground.
- The army was not prepared for the initial shock of attack.
- Shock waves were felt miles away.
Learner examples
- The car hit a bump and I felt a shock.
- An earthquake sends shocks through the ground.
- The machine can take strong shocks.
- They felt the shock from far away.
- The bridge broke under the shock.
Grammar
Dictionary form
shock
IPA
GB/ʃˈɑk/
US/ʃˈɑk/
Syllables & stress
shock (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (shock)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: shock
- Plural: shock, shocks
Verb
- Base: shock
- 3rd Person Singular: shocks
- Present Participle: shocking
- Past: shocked
Word family
Forms
Related words
shockingly
adverb
shocker
noun
Advanced or less common
aftershock
noun
shockproof
adjective
Expressions
get a shock
1/ɡˈɛt ə ʃˈɑk/
fixed phrase
To suddenly feel strong surprise or fear
To suddenly feel very surprised, scared, or upset by something unexpected.
Examples
- I got a real shock when he appeared at my door.
- You’ll get a shock if you touch that wire!
in a state of shock
1/ˈɪn ə stˈeɪt əv ʃˈɑk/
fixed phrase
Experiencing strong reaction to trauma/surprise
Feeling very surprised, scared, or upset because something bad happened suddenly.
Examples
- She was still in a state of shock after the accident.
- He remained in a state of shock for days after hearing the news.
shock absorber
1/ʃˈɑk əbzˈɔɹbɚ/
fixed phrase
technical
Device that softens impacts in vehicles or machines
A part of a car or machine that makes bumps feel softer and smoother.
Examples
- The car needs new shock absorbers to ride smoothly.
- Shock absorbers reduce damage to machinery.
shock therapy
1/ʃˈɑk θˈɛɹəpi/
fixed phrase
technical
Treatment with sudden intense intervention (medical/economic)
A medical treatment using electricity on the brain, or fast changes in an economy to fix problems.
Examples
- Shock therapy is sometimes used for severe depression.
- The country underwent economic shock therapy in the 1990s.
culture shock
1/kˈʌlt͡ʃɚ ʃˈɑk/
fixed phrase
confusion in a new culture
A feeling of surprise and confusion when you go to a place with very different customs.
Examples
- She experienced culture shock during her first trip abroad.
- Moving abroad gave her culture shock at first.
- Culture shock can happen when you move to a new country.
- He experienced culture shock when he started working overseas.