English Meaning & Definitions
A metal pin or bar used to fasten things together, or a sliding bar used to lock a door.
- “He tightened the bolt on the engine to stop the vibration.”
- “She slid the heavy iron bolt across the door to secure it for the night.”
A flash of lightning.
- “A sudden bolt of lightning illuminated the dark sky.”
- “The tree was struck by a bolt during the thunderstorm.”
To move or run away suddenly and rapidly.
- “The frightened horse bolted from the stable.”
- “As soon as the meeting ended, he bolted for the exit.”
To swallow food or drink quickly and without chewing properly.
- “Don't bolt your dinner; you'll get a stomachache.”
- “He bolted his coffee and rushed out the door.”
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “bolt”.
Derived from Old English 'bolt', originally referring to a heavy arrow or a crossbow bolt. The sense of a metal fastener evolved from the resemblance of the pin to a crossbow bolt. The verb sense of 'to run away suddenly' likely stems from the sudden, darting motion of such a projectile.
Think of a lightning bolt: it strikes suddenly and moves incredibly fast, just like someone who 'bolts' out the door.
Frequently Asked Questions About “bolt”
1. What is the meaning of “bolt” in English?
In English, bolt (noun) is defined as: “A metal pin or bar used to fasten things together, or a sliding bar used to lock a door.”.
2. How do you use “bolt” in a sentence?
“He tightened the bolt on the engine to stop the vibration.”
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “bolt”?
Derived from Old English 'bolt', originally referring to a heavy arrow or a crossbow bolt. The sense of a metal fastener evolved from the resemblance of the pin to a crossbow bolt. The verb sense of 'to run away suddenly' likely stems from the sudden, darting motion of such a projectile.
🇬🇧More English Words to English
View all English words →The base unit of time in the International System of Units (SI), equal to the duration of 9,192,631,770 periods of the radiation corresponding to the transition between the two hyperfine levels of the ground state of the caesium-133 atom.
A specific duration of time equal to one hour and forty-six minutes and twelve seconds.
The cardinal number equal to one thousand million (1,000,000,000), expressed in scientific notation as 10^9.
A specific duration of time equivalent to one hour and forty-six minutes.