Jolt vs. Bolt — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 14, 2024
A jolt refers to a sudden, sharp movement or shock, often unexpected, while a bolt can either be a sudden dash or a fastener used to hold objects together.
Difference Between Jolt and Bolt
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A jolt is typically experienced as a sudden, sharp shake or shock, which might be physical, like being jostled in a car, or emotional, like receiving surprising news. It implies a swift and often unexpected movement or sensation that disrupts stability or calm. Conversely, a bolt, when used as a noun, refers to a type of metal fastener, usually cylindrical, used in conjunction with a nut to join two or more parts together securely. As a verb, "to bolt" means to move suddenly and quickly, often due to fear or surprise, resembling the suddenness of a jolt but with a specific focus on rapid movement away from something.
Jolts are commonly associated with physical experiences, such as a vehicle hitting a bump, or emotional reactions to unexpected events, emphasizing the shock or surprise factor. Bolts, in their noun form, are essential components in various construction and mechanical contexts, providing a secure method of fastening or assembling parts. As a verb, bolting involves a swift, sudden departure or escape, often impulsive and without prior warning.
The impact of a jolt is often immediate and brief, leaving a lingering sense of surprise or disorientation, while the function of a bolt as a fastener is enduring, ensuring stability and security. Bolting as an action also carries a sense of urgency and immediacy, often driven by a need to escape or react quickly to a situation.
Despite the differences, both terms share a common theme of suddenness and speed. Whether it's the abrupt shock of a jolt or the quick action of bolting away or securing with a bolt, both convey rapid action and change.
Comparison Chart
Definition
A sudden, sharp shake or shock.
Noun: A metal fastener. Verb: To move suddenly and quickly.
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Connotation
Surprise, disruption, immediate impact.
Noun: Security, fastening. Verb: Sudden departure, quick escape.
Common Usage
Physical or emotional reactions to unexpected events.
Noun: Construction, assembly. Verb: Rapid movement, fleeing.
Duration
Brief, with lingering effects.
Noun: Long-lasting (as a fastener). Verb: Immediate, short-lived.
Associated Actions
Shaking, shocking.
Noun: Fastening, securing. Verb: Dashing, escaping.
Compare with Definitions
Jolt
An abrupt fluctuation or surge, as in electrical power.
A jolt of electricity restarted the machine.
Bolt
A sudden dash or run, often to escape.
The rabbit made a bolt for the bushes at the sound of footsteps.
Jolt
A sudden sharp shake or movement.
The car hit a pothole, giving the passengers a jolt.
Bolt
A metal pin or bar, typically cylindrical, used for fastening objects together.
The mechanic secured the engine parts with a sturdy bolt.
Jolt
An emotional or psychological shock.
The news of the sudden accident was a jolt to the community.
Bolt
A roll of fabric or wallpaper.
She chose a beautiful pattern from the bolt of fabric.
Jolt
A sudden push or jerk.
The train started with a jolt, surprising the standing passengers.
Bolt
To eat food quickly.
He bolted his lunch down to get back to work on time.
Jolt
A surprise that causes a rapid shift in perspective.
Moving to a new city was the jolt he needed in life.
Bolt
A lightning flash, symbolizing speed or suddenness.
The logo featured a bolt to represent their fast service.
Jolt
To move or dislodge with a sudden, hard blow; strike heavily or jarringly
Jolted his opponent with a heavy punch.
An impact that jolted the mailbox loose.
Bolt
To fasten with a bolt.
We need to bolt the shelves to the wall for safety.
Jolt
To cause to move jerkily
Stops and starts that jolted the passengers.
Bolt
To run away suddenly.
The cat bolted out of the room when the dog entered.
Jolt
To put into a specified condition by or as if by a blow
"Now and then he jolted a nodding reader awake by inserting a witty paragraph" (Walter Blair).
Bolt
To secure a door or window with a fastening.
Don't forget to bolt the door before you go to bed.
Jolt
To make suddenly active or effective
The remark jolted my memory.
Bolt
A bar made of wood or metal that slides into a socket and is used to fasten doors and gates.
Jolt
To disturb suddenly and severely; stun
She was jolted by the betrayal of her trusted friend.
Bolt
A metal bar or rod in the mechanism of a lock that is thrown or withdrawn by turning the key.
Jolt
To proceed in an irregular, bumpy, or jerky fashion.
Bolt
A fastener consisting of a threaded pin or rod with a head at one end, designed to be inserted through holes in assembled parts and secured by a mated nut that is tightened by applying torque.
Jolt
A sudden jarring or jerking motion, as from a blow.
Bolt
A sliding metal bar that positions the cartridge in breechloading rifles, closes the breech, and ejects the spent cartridge.
Jolt
A sudden, strong feeling of surprise or disappointment; a shock.
Bolt
A similar device in any breech mechanism.
Jolt
The cause of such a feeling
His resignation was a jolt to the whole staff.
Bolt
A short, heavy arrow with a thick head, used especially with a crossbow.
Jolt
A brief strong portion
A jolt of whiskey.
Bolt
A flash of lightning; a thunderbolt.
Jolt
(transitive) To push or shake abruptly and roughly.
The bus jolted its passengers at every turn.
Bolt
A sudden or unexpected event
The announcement was a veritable bolt.
Jolt
(transitive) To knock sharply
Bolt
A sudden movement toward or away.
Jolt
(transitive) To shock (someone) into taking action or being alert
Bolt
A large roll of cloth of a definite length, especially as it comes from the loom.
Jolt
(transitive) To shock emotionally.
Her untimely death jolted us all.
Bolt
To secure or lock with or as if with a bolt.
Jolt
(intransitive) To shake; to move with a series of jerks.
The car jolted along the stony path.
Bolt
To arrange or roll (lengths of cloth, for example) on or in a bolt.
Jolt
An act of jolting.
Bolt
To eat (food) hurriedly and with little chewing; gulp.
Jolt
A surprise or shock.
Bolt
To desert or withdraw support from (a political party).
Jolt
(slang) A long prison sentence.
Bolt
To utter impulsively; blurt.
Jolt
(slang) A narcotic injection.
Bolt
(Archaic) To shoot or discharge (a missile, such as an arrow).
Jolt
To shake with short, abrupt risings and fallings, as a carriage moving on rough ground; as, the coach jolts.
Bolt
To move or spring suddenly.
Jolt
To cause to move with a sudden motion, especially an up and down motion, as in a carriage going over rough ground, or on a high-trotting horse; as, the horse jolts the rider; fast driving jolts the carriage and the passengers.
Bolt
To start suddenly and run away
The horse bolted at the sound of the shot. The frightened child bolted from the room.
Jolt
To stun or shock a person physically, as with a blow or electrical shock; as, the earthquake jolted him out of bed.
Bolt
To break away from an affiliation, as from a political party.
Jolt
To stun or shock or change the mental state of (a person) suddenly, as if with a blow; as, the sight of the house on fire jolted him into action; his mother's early death jolted his idyllic happiness.
Bolt
(Botany) To flower or produce seeds prematurely or develop a flowering stem from a rosette.
Jolt
A sudden shock or jerk; a jolting motion, as in a carriage moving over rough ground.
The first jolt had like to have shaken me out.
Bolt
To pass (flour, for example) through a sieve.
Jolt
Something which causes a jolt{2}; as, the bad news was a jolt.
Bolt
A (usually) metal fastener consisting of a cylindrical body that is threaded, with a larger head on one end. It can be inserted into an unthreaded hole up to the head, with a nut then threaded on the other end; a heavy machine screw.
Jolt
A sudden impact;
The door closed with a jolt
Bolt
A sliding pin or bar in a lock or latch mechanism.
Jolt
An abrupt spasmodic movement
Bolt
A bar of wood or metal dropped in horizontal hooks on a door and adjoining wall or between the two sides of a double door, to prevent the door(s) from being forced open.
Jolt
Move or cause to move with a sudden jerky motion
Bolt
A sliding mechanism to chamber and unchamber a cartridge in a firearm.
Jolt
Disturb (someone's) composure;
The audience was jolted by the play
Bolt
A small personal-armour-piercing missile for short-range use, or (in common usage though deprecated by experts) a short arrow, intended to be shot from a crossbow or a catapult.
Bolt
A lightning spark, i.e., a lightning bolt.
Bolt
A sudden event, action or emotion.
The problem's solution struck him like a bolt from the blue.
Bolt
A large roll of fabric or similar material, as a bolt of cloth.
Bolt
(nautical) The standard linear measurement of canvas for use at sea: 39 yards.
Bolt
A sudden spring or start; a sudden leap aside.
The horse made a bolt.
Bolt
A sudden flight, as to escape creditors.
Bolt
A refusal to support a nomination made by the party with which one has been connected; a breaking away from one's party.
Bolt
An iron to fasten the legs of a prisoner; a shackle; a fetter.
Bolt
A burst of speed or efficiency.
Bolt
A stalk or scape (of garlic, onion, etc).
Bolt
A sieve, especially a long fine sieve used in milling for bolting flour and meal; a bolter.
Bolt
To connect or assemble pieces using a bolt.
Bolt the vice to the bench.
Bolt
To secure a door by locking or barring it.
Bolt the door.
Bolt
(intransitive) To flee, to depart, to accelerate suddenly.
Seeing the snake, the horse bolted.
The actor forgot his line and bolted from the stage.
Bolt
(transitive) To cause to start or spring forth; to dislodge (an animal being hunted).
To bolt a rabbit
Bolt
To strike or fall suddenly like a bolt.
Bolt
(intransitive) To escape.
Bolt
To produce flower stalks and flowers or seeds quickly or prematurely; to form a bolt (stalk or scape); to go to seed.
Lettuce and spinach will bolt as the weather warms up.
Bolt
To swallow food without chewing it.
Bolt
To drink one's drink very quickly; to down a drink.
Come on, everyone, bolt your drinks; I want to go to the next pub!
Bolt
To refuse to support a nomination made by a party or caucus with which one has been connected; to break away from a party.
Bolt
To utter precipitately; to blurt or throw out.
Bolt
To sift, especially through a cloth.
Bolt
To sift the bran and germ from wheat flour.
Graham flour is unbolted flour; in contrast, some other flours have been bolted.
Bolt
To separate, assort, refine, or purify by other means.
Bolt
(legal) To discuss or argue privately, and for practice, as cases at law.
Bolt
Suddenly; straight; unbendingly.
The soldiers stood bolt upright for inspection.
Bolt
A shaft or missile intended to be shot from a crossbow or catapult, esp. a short, stout, blunt-headed arrow; a quarrel; an arrow, or that which resembles an arrow; a dart.
Look that the crossbowmen lack not bolts.
A fool's bolt is soon shot.
Bolt
Lightning; a thunderbolt.
Bolt
A strong pin, of iron or other material, used to fasten or hold something in place, often having a head at one end and screw thread cut upon the other end.
Bolt
A sliding catch, or fastening, as for a door or gate; the portion of a lock which is shot or withdrawn by the action of the key.
Bolt
An iron to fasten the legs of a prisoner; a shackle; a fetter.
Away with him to prison!lay bolts enough upon him.
Bolt
A compact package or roll of cloth, as of canvas or silk, often containing about forty yards.
Bolt
A bundle, as of oziers.
Bolt
A sudden spring or start; a sudden spring aside; as, the horse made a bolt.
Bolt
A sudden flight, as to escape creditors.
This gentleman was so hopelessly involved that he contemplated a bolt to America - or anywhere.
Bolt
A refusal to support a nomination made by the party with which one has been connected; a breaking away from one's party.
Bolt
A sieve, esp. a long fine sieve used in milling for bolting flour and meal; a bolter.
Bolt
To shoot; to discharge or drive forth.
Bolt
To utter precipitately; to blurt or throw out.
I hate when Vice can bolt her arguments.
Bolt
To swallow without chewing; as, to bolt food; often used with down.
Bolt
To refuse to support, as a nomination made by a party to which one has belonged or by a caucus in which one has taken part.
Bolt
To cause to start or spring forth; to dislodge, as conies, rabbits, etc.
Bolt
To fasten or secure with, or as with, a bolt or bolts, as a door, a timber, fetters; to shackle; to restrain.
Let tenfold iron bolt my door.
Which shackles accidents and bolts up change.
Bolt
To start forth like a bolt or arrow; to spring abruptly; to come or go suddenly; to dart; as, to bolt out of the room.
This Puck seems but a dreaming dolt, . . . And oft out of a bush doth bolt.
Bolt
To strike or fall suddenly like a bolt.
His cloudless thunder bolted on their heads.
Bolt
To spring suddenly aside, or out of the regular path; as, the horse bolted.
Bolt
To refuse to support a nomination made by a party or a caucus with which one has been connected; to break away from a party.
Bolt
To sift or separate the coarser from the finer particles of, as bran from flour, by means of a bolter; to separate, assort, refine, or purify by other means.
He now had bolted all the flour.
Ill schooled in bolted language.
Bolt
To separate, as if by sifting or bolting; - with out.
Time and nature will bolt out the truth of things.
Bolt
To discuss or argue privately, and for practice, as cases at law.
This bolts the matter fairly to the bran.
The report of the committee was examined and sifted and bolted to the bran.
Bolt
In the manner of a bolt; suddenly; straight; unbendingly.
[He] came bolt up against the heavy dragoon.
Bolt
A discharge of lightning accompanied by thunder
Bolt
A sliding bar in a breech-loading firearm that ejects an empty cartridge and replaces it and closes the breech
Bolt
The part of a lock that is engaged or withdrawn with a key
Bolt
The act of moving with great haste;
He made a dash for the door
Bolt
A roll of cloth or wallpaper of a definite length
Bolt
A screw that screws into a nut to form a fastener
Bolt
A sudden abandonment (as from a political party)
Bolt
Move or jump suddenly;
She bolted from her seat
Bolt
Secure or lock with a bolt;
Bolt the door
Bolt
Swallow hastily
Bolt
Run away; usually includes taking something or somebody along
Bolt
Leave suddenly and as if in a hurry;
The listeners bolted when he discussed his strange ideas
When she started to tell silly stories, I ran out
Bolt
Eat hastily without proper chewing;
Don't bolt your food!
Bolt
Make or roll into bolts;
Bolt fabric
Bolt
In a rigid manner;
The body was rigidly erect
Ge sat bolt upright
Bolt
Directly;
He ran bang into the pole
Ran slap into her
Common Curiosities
Can the term "jolt" be used in a positive context?
While often associated with surprise or discomfort, a jolt can also refer to a positive sudden realization or motivation.
Is a jolt always physical?
No, jolts can also be emotional or psychological, such as being startled by unexpected news.
Is a jolt similar to a vibration?
A jolt is more abrupt and less continuous than a vibration, which tends to be a series of rapid, rhythmic movements.
How can a bolt provide security?
As a fastener, a bolt secures parts together, preventing disassembly or movement, thus offering structural security and stability.
What's the main difference between a jolt and bolting away?
A jolt refers to a sudden shock or shake, while bolting away means to suddenly run off, often due to fear or surprise.
How do you "bolt" something in a construction context?
In construction, bolting involves securing two or more elements together using a bolt and usually a nut, ensuring a tight and secure assembly.
What does it mean when someone "bolts down" their food?
It means they are eating very quickly, often implying a lack of proper chewing or savoring of the food.
Can a bolt (noun) cause a jolt?
Yes, if a bolt were to break or snap suddenly, it could cause a physical jolt or shock to nearby objects or people.
Is an electrical jolt dangerous?
Yes, an electrical jolt can be dangerous, potentially causing injury or damage to electrical systems and devices.
Can animals also "bolt"?
Yes, animals, particularly prey species, often bolt as an instinctual response to perceived threats, running away quickly to escape predators.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
