noun

bolt

noun

A metal fastener with a threaded shaft, used with a nut to hold things together.

"He tightened the bolts on the shelf bracket."

A sliding bar used to lock a door.

"She slid the bolt shut before going to bed."

A flash of lightning.

"A bolt of lightning split the old oak tree."

verb

To run away suddenly, or move very fast.

"The dog bolted the second the gate opened."

"He bolted out of the room when his phone rang."

To fasten something with a bolt, or to lock a door with a bolt.

"Make sure you bolt the shed at night."

Of a plant, to grow flower stalks and go to seed too early.

"The lettuce bolted in the summer heat."

How to Use Bolt

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA metal fastener, a door lock, a lightning flash, or (as a verb) to run off suddenly.

Common mistake

Don't confuse a "bolt" (threaded fastener needing a nut) with a "screw" (which threads directly into material).

Easily confused with

screw →

Common pairings

bolt the door bolt of lightning bolt upright nuts and bolts

Word Forms

bolted past tense, bolted past tense, bolts plural, bolts plural, Bolts plural, bolts singular, bolts singular

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

He tightened the _____ on the shelf bracket.

Etymology

From Old English bolt, a Germanic word for an arrow or short shaft — the sense of a sudden dash or a lightning strike grew from the idea of something shooting out fast, like an arrow.

Rhymes for bolt

colt volt holt jolt dolt revolt thunderbolt

See all rhymes for bolt →