jut

Imagine a rocky coastline: the land does not simply end at the water; part of it pushes out into the sea. That is what "jut" means: to stick out or extend outward in a clear, noticeable way. A chin can jut forward, a balcony can jut from a wall, and a cliff can jut over the ocean. The word often suggests that something stands out from what is around it, not softly, but clearly. You would not usually say a flat field "juts," but you might say a sharp rock juts from the ground.

To "jut" means to extend outward or project beyond the main body of something, often in a bold or noticeable way. It usually describes something physical that sticks out clearly from its surroundings. Think of the White Cliffs of Dover: they do not gently slope into the sea; they jut out from the coastline, creating a sharp and rugged edge.

You can use "jut" to describe body parts and physical features: "His jaw jutted forward as he spoke," which can suggest determination, stubbornness, or aggression. Parts of buildings and other structures can also jut, such as a balcony jutting from a wall or a pier jutting into a lake. The word is not usually used for anything that merely extends a little; it works best when the shape stands out in a strong, easy-to-see way. It gives a visual sense of something solid pushing forward into space.

Historically, "jut" appeared in the 16th century as a form related to "jet," from the Old French jeter, meaning "to throw." That history fits the image well, because the word often describes something that seems thrown or pushed forward from its base. An older related form, "jutty," was once used for overhanging architecture, but modern English mainly uses "jut" for landforms, parts of buildings, and body features that stick out clearly. Whether you are describing a cliff, a shelf of rock, a balcony, or a forward-thrust chin, "jut" conveys the idea of something extending outward in a strong, noticeable way.