WordGarden.iojack
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /dʒˈæk/
US
- /ˈdʒæk/
Meanings
Noun
a device for lifting or supporting a heavy object
a playing card ranked between ten and queen
a socket or connector for an electrical or audio plug
Proper-noun
a male given name
Verb
to lift or raise something, especially with a jack
(slang)to steal or rob someone
Beyond the definition
The word "jack" is surprisingly versatile! Most often, it means a tool used to lift something heavy, like a car when you need to change a tire. It is also the name of a playing card that comes between the ten and the queen. And of course, Jack is also a common male name.
In modern life, you will often see "jack" in electronics, where it means a socket or connection point, such as a headphone jack. In older English, it could also mean an ordinary man, a servant, or a worker, which helps explain the phrase "jack of all trades" for someone who can do many kinds of work. So whether you are fixing a car, playing cards, or plugging in your headphones, "jack" can play very different roles.
The word "jack" has a fascinating history and surprisingly diverse meanings. At its core, it often implies something that raises, supports, or connects, but its applications have broadened significantly over time.
Perhaps most commonly today, a "jack" is a mechanical device used to lift heavy objects—cars, buildings, or even airplanes. These tools use leverage or hydraulics to provide significant lifting power. For example, you might say, "He used the jack to raise the car and change the flat tire."
Beyond mechanics, the word is a staple in a standard deck of playing cards. The jack is a face card ranking between the ten and the queen, often shown as a young nobleman or soldier. In the digital age, the word has found a new home in technology; an electronic jack is the socket into which you insert a plug to make a connection, such as an audio or power jack.
Historically, "jack" began as a pet form of the name John, and it remains a common given name today. However, it also served as a general term for a man, especially a servant or laborer. This usage is preserved in the phrase "jack of all trades," which describes someone with many skills, though the full saying can suggest that the person has not mastered just one of them.
In nautical terms, a "jack" refers specifically to a small flag flown from the bow of a ship to indicate its nationality (the "Union Jack" being the most famous example). There is even a family of powerful predatory fish known as jacks. Whether you are changing a tire, playing a hand of poker, or plugging in your headphones, this little word packs an incredible amount of utility and history.
Examples
- 1
Car tool
We used a jack to lift the car and change the tire.
- 2
Vehicle equipment
Is there a jack in the trunk?
- 3
Playing card
She won the round with the jack of hearts.
- 4
Audio connector
My new phone doesn't have a headphone jack.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Lifting vehicle
They had to jack up the front of the truck to check underneath it.
- Patternjack up + object
lift it with a jack
- 6
Price increase
The company jacked up the prices right before the holiday.
- Patternjack up + prices/costs
raise them a lot
- 7
Informal stealing
Someone jacked his bike while he was inside the store.
- Usagejack
steal, informal
- 8
Useful skills
My uncle is a jack of all trades; he can fix almost anything.
- Phrasejack of all trades
someone who can do many different kinds of work
- 9
Knowledge gap
I don't know jack about cars, so I called a mechanic.
- Usagenot know jack about + topic
know nothing about it, informal
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- jacknounverb
Forms
- jackspluralnounverb
- jackedpast tenseverbnoun
- jacking-ing formverbnoun