Bolt
/boʊlt/
nounverbB1
Definition
As a noun, a bolt is a strong metal piece with threads that you turn with a nut to hold things tightly. It can also mean a sudden, fast movement or a flash of lightning. As a verb, to bolt means to move very quickly, often running away suddenly without warning.
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⚡ See It in Action
A metal fastener used with a nut to hold things together
- •The mechanic tightened the bolt to fix the car door.
- •You need a wrench to turn the bolt.
- •The bolt was loose, so the shelf fell down.
A sudden, fast movement or action (verb)
- •The rabbit bolted as soon as it saw the dog.
- •She bolted out of the room when she heard the noise.
- •The horse bolted from the stable and ran across the field.
A flash of lightning (noun)
- •A bolt of lightning lit up the dark sky.
- •The storm had many bolts of lightning.
- •The bolt struck a tree nearby.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "bolt" like "run" (A1 word), but much faster and sudden—like a quick escape or dash
- ✓Picture a bright flash of lightning crossing the sky or a metal screw holding a door closed tightly
- ✓It's the feeling when you suddenly jump up and run because you are surprised or scared
- ✓Sounds like "bolt" → imagine a strong arrow or lightning bolt shooting straight and fast through the air
- ✓Remember cartoons where a character "bolts" out of a room when scared or surprised—fast and sudden
- ✓NOT like "run" (which can be slow or steady), "bolt" means very fast and sudden movement
- ✓NOT like "nail" (a different metal fastener), a bolt is bigger, stronger, and needs a nut to hold things
- ✓NOT like "flash" (just light), a bolt of lightning is quick and strong, like a strike from the sky
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Dash: to run quickly for a short distance (Use when the movement is fast but less sudden or scared)
- •Flash: a quick bright light (Use when talking about light, not movement)
- •Screw: a smaller metal fastener turned into wood (Use when the fastener is smaller or different type)
- •Flee: to run away quickly because of danger (Use when emphasizing escaping from danger)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no prefix or suffix) — the word "bolt" is simple and short
- •Etymology: Old English "bolt" or "bolt" from Proto-Germanic, meaning a short, thick arrow or shaft
- •Historical development: Originally meant a short arrow or shaft shot from a crossbow; later extended to mean metal fastener and sudden movement
- •Modern usage: Used as noun for fastener and lightning flash; as verb for quick movement or running away suddenly
💭 Reflect & Connect
•When have you seen someone bolt from a situation? What made them move so fast?
•How does the idea of a bolt as a fast flash or metal fastener help you remember the word’s different meanings?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.The door was held closed by a heavy metal ___ that needed a wrench to open.
2.When the cat saw the dog, it ___ across the yard very quickly.
3.A bright ___ of lightning lit up the sky during the storm.
4.You can ___ from danger, but sometimes it is better to stay calm.
5.The mechanic checked if the ___ was tight before driving the car.
6.She ___ out of the room without saying a word because she was scared.
7.Unlike a slow walk, to ___ means to move suddenly and very fast.