We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website. By continuing to use our website, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time. Find out more

Subscriber login

Library card login

Other

Login Athens/Access Management Federation

X Close menu

Dictionary Language resources

startle

Syllabification: (star·tle)

Pronunciation: /ˈstärtl/

Translate startle | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish

Definition of startle

verb

[with object]

cause (a person or animal) to feel sudden shock or alarm:a sudden sound in the doorway startled her [with infinitive]:he was startled to see a column of smoke

Derivatives

startler

Origin:

Old English steartlian 'kick, struggle', from the base of start. The early sense gave rise to 'move quickly, caper' (typically said of cattle), whence '(cause to) react with fear' (late 16th century)