startle

From Wiktionary

Pronunciation[change]

Verb[change]

Plain form
startle

Third-person singular
startles

Past tense
startled

Past participle
startled

Present participle
startling

  1. (transitive & intransitive) If you are startled, you jump or move suddenly, often opening your eyes wide, because of a surprise.
    She thought she was alone, but was startled to hear someone behind her..

Noun[change]

Singular
startle

Plural
startles

  1. A startle is a surprise or a fright.
    The birthday boy had a startle when we screamed "Happy birthday" from behind him.