jilt — to suddenly break off a romantic relationship with someone, especially after promising to marry them
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to suddenly break off a romantic relationship with someone, especially after promising to marry them
Pronunciation (IPA): /dʒɪlt/
Example Sentences
- After dating for five years, she jilted him via text message - talk about modern romance!
- The billionaire was jilted by three different fiancées who all ran off with his bodyguards.
- He never recovered from being jilted on Valentine's Day.
jilt
VERB[/dʒɪlt/]
to suddenly break off a romantic relationship with someone, especially after promising to marry them
She decided to jilt him at the altar, leaving the chapel in stunned silence.
She built a castle, but guilt was all that lasted
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The word emerged in the mid-17th century from the common noun 'Jill', a female given name that became a generic term for a fickle or flighty woman. This noun was subsequently verbalised to acquire the meaning 'to reject or abandon (a lover)', reflecting the stereotyped behaviour associated with the term.
Breakdown
Jill (female given name used as common noun for an inconstant woman) → jilt (verb: to abandon or reject a romantic partner).
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“After dating for five years, she jilted him via text message - talk about modern romance!”
“The billionaire was jilted by three different fiancées who all ran off with his bodyguards.”
“He never recovered from being jilted on Valentine's Day.”
“The movie star jilted her co-star for a director, causing drama both on and off screen.”
📚Related Words
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