Bolt Definition

bōlt
bolted, bolting, bolts
noun
bolts
A sliding bar for locking a door, gate, etc.
Webster's New World
A similar bar in a lock, moved by a key.
Webster's New World
A short, heavy, often blunt arrow shot from a crossbow.
Webster's New World
A flash of lightning; thunderbolt.
Webster's New World
A threaded metal rod or pin for joining parts, having a head and usually used with a nut.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
verb
bolted, bolting, bolts
To hold together or fasten with or as with a bolt.
Webster's New World
To withdraw support from or abandon a party, group, etc.
Webster's New World
To swallow (food) hurriedly; gulp down.
Webster's New World
To shoot (an arrow, etc.)
Webster's New World
To say suddenly or unexpectedly; blurt (out)
Webster's New World
adverb
Suddenly; straight; unbendingly.
The soldiers stood bolt upright for inspection.
Wiktionary
pronoun

A surname​.

Wiktionary
idiom
bolt from the blue
  • A sudden, shocking surprise or turn of events.
American Heritage
bolt upright
  • In a rigidly vertical position:

    sat bolt upright.

American Heritage
bolt from the blue
  • a thunderbolt from a clear sky
  • a sudden, unforeseen occurrence, often an unfortunate one
Webster's New World
bolt upright
  • straight up; erect or erectly
Webster's New World
shoot one's bolt
  • to do one's utmost; exhaust one's capabilities
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Bolt

Noun

Singular:
bolt
Plural:
bolts

Origin of Bolt

  • From Proto-Germanic *bultaz, perhaps from Proto-Indo-European *bheld- (“to knock, strike”). Akin to Dutch bout, German Bolz or Bolzen, Icelandic bolti, Danish bolt.

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English bulten from Old French buleter from Middle High German biuteln from biutel bag, purse

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Middle English bulten, from Anglo-Norman buleter, cognate with Middle High German biuteln (“to sift”)

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English from Old English heavy arrow

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From bolt

    From Wiktionary

Find Similar Words

Find similar words to bolt using the buttons below.

Words Starting With

Words Ending With

Unscrambles

bolt