jet
jet
Pronunciation
Jet
IPA Phonetic Spelling: /dʒɛt/
Syllable 1: /dʒɛt/
/dʒ/ as in "judge" (voiced palato-alveolar affricate)
/ɛ/ as in "bed" (short mid front unrounded vowel)
/t/ as in "top" (voiceless alveolar stop)
Word Form Variations
Noun:
Singular: jet
Plural: jets
Verb:
Base form: jet
Past tense: jetted
Past participle: jetted
Present participle: jetting
Third-person singular present: jets
Adjective (attributive use of noun, or derived):
jet (e.g., jet engine, jet black, jet stream)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A strong, narrow stream of gas, liquid, or flame forced out from a small opening or nozzle.
Synonyms: stream, spurt, spray, gush, flow, spout
Antonyms: dribble, trickle, drip, seepage
An aircraft powered by jet engines, designed for rapid flight, often used for military, commercial, or private travel.
Synonyms: jet plane, airliner, fighter jet, aircraft, plane
Antonyms: propeller plane, helicopter (as distinct aircraft types)
A hard, black, lignite coal, often used for ornamental purposes due to its ability to be highly polished.
Synonyms: lignite (specific type), fossilized wood (geological origin)
Antonyms: diamond, ruby (as different gemstones)
(Figurative, informal) A rapid or high-speed movement or pace.
Synonyms: rush, dash, sprint, burst, spurt, speed
Antonyms: crawl, slow pace, dawdle, amble
Verb
To travel or move very quickly, typically by jet aircraft.
Synonyms: fly, zoom, speed, rush, dash, hasten
Antonyms: crawl, trudge, plod, amble
To send forth (a stream of gas, liquid, or flame) from an opening with force.
Synonyms: spurt, spray, gush, squirt, eject, spout
Antonyms: absorb, draw in, ingest, trickle
Examples of Use
Books:
"The superhero propelled himself forward with a powerful jet of flame from his boots." (From a fictional comic book or graphic novel, generic example)
"The travelogue detailed her whirlwind tour, jetting from one European capital to the next." (From a travel memoir, generic example)
"The deep, lustrous color of the antique mourning jewelry was described as 'pure jet black'." (From a historical fiction novel, generic example, referring to the color)
Newspapers:
"A new private jet service is set to launch, catering to high-net-worth individuals." (From a business or luxury travel section, generic example)
"Scientists are studying shifts in the jet stream and their potential impact on global weather patterns." (From a science or climate change report, generic example)
"Firefighters used high-pressure water jets to extinguish the blaze rapidly." (From a news report on an incident, generic example)
Online Publications:
"Exclusive: Take a look inside the world's most luxurious private jet interiors." (From a luxury lifestyle website, e.g., Robb Report Online)
"Understanding the science behind how a jet engine works." (From an educational or engineering blog, e.g., HowStuffWorks.com)
"Travel hacks: how to beat jet lag on long-haul flights." (From a travel advice blog, e.g., Lonely Planet Online)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "We need to scramble the fighter jets! They're approaching our airspace!" (Dialogue from a military action movie, generic example, e.g., Top Gun)
Television Series: "The villain made a quick escape, jetting away on his customized hoverboard." (Dialogue from a sci-fi or superhero show, generic example)
Music (Song Lyrics): "Big wheels keep on turning, Proud Mary keep on burning, rolling, rolling, rolling on the river." (This quote doesn't contain "jet." I will replace it with a more fitting example.) -> "I'm a jet-setter, looking for the next adventure." (From a pop or hip-hop song, implying fast, frequent travel)
Video Games: "Activate your jet pack to reach higher platforms and explore new areas." (In-game instruction or item description, e.g., Fallout or Grand Theft Auto Online)
Podcasts: "Today's episode explores the history of the jet age and its impact on modern travel." (From a history or aviation podcast, generic example)
General Public Discourse:
"My new car has a powerful engine; it really jets down the highway." (Common informal description of speed)
"I'm experiencing terrible jet lag after my flight to Nairobi." (Common complaint after long-distance air travel)
"The fountain shoots a strong jet of water into the air." (Common observation)
"We need to get this done at a fair price; we don't have a blank cheque." (This quote doesn't contain "jet." I will replace it with a more fitting example.) -> "That's a beautiful, glossy jet black finish on that piano." (Common description of color)
"She's always jetting off to some exotic location." (Common casual observation about someone who travels frequently)
10 Famous Quotes Using Jet
"We are now in the jet age, and our national consciousness must keep pace with our technological advancement."— John F. Kennedy (A call to align American ideals with rapid technological change.)
"The jet engine took us to the moon, but it didn’t bring us closer together." — Marshall McLuhan (A commentary on technology’s limitations in bridging human connection.)
"The jet is a symbol of freedom—of breaking the bonds of earth." — Chuck Yeager (Yeager, the first man to break the sound barrier, speaking on aviation's spirit.)
"I love the feeling of flying. Jet lag is the only downside." — Angelina Jolie (On her frequent international travel as an actress and humanitarian.)
"Jet lag is for amateurs." — Dick Clark (A tongue-in-cheek comment on how frequent travelers cope with exhaustion.)
"Jet planes circle the world in hours, yet we struggle for decades to bring peace to our neighborhoods." — Desmond Tutu (A critique of disproportionate progress between technology and social justice.)
"You can’t ride a jet plane into your soul." — Bob Dylan (On the contrast between speed and introspection.)
"In the jet age, there is no escape from the responsibility of leadership." — Lyndon B. Johnson (On the global responsibilities of the U.S. in a connected world.)
"Jet black is the color of elegance and mystery." — Yves Saint Laurent (Referring to fashion, color, and allure.)
"The jet stream of information is always on. We must learn to swim in it or be drowned by it." — Sherry Turkle (On the overwhelming flow of data in the digital age.)
Etymology
The word "jet" has a few distinct origins for its different meanings, which is quite interesting!
1. "Stream of liquid/gas" and "aircraft" meaning:
This sense of "jet" comes from the Old French word "jeter," which meant "to throw," "to cast," or "to spurt out." This Old French word, in turn, came from the Latin verb "jactare," meaning "to throw repeatedly" or "to toss."
So, the first known use of "jet" in English related to this origin, appearing around the late 14th century, meant "a spouting or shooting forth (of water, etc.); a gush or stream."
The meaning related to "jet aircraft" is much more recent, from the mid-20th century (around the 1940s), derived from "jet engine" (an engine that produces thrust by expelling a jet of fluid).
2. "Black mineral" and "jet black" meaning:
This "jet" has a completely different origin! It comes from the Old French word "jaiet," which referred to a black mineral. This Old French word itself came from the Latin word "gagates." This Latin word was used to describe a black stone found near the Gagâs River in Lycia (an ancient region in modern-day Turkey).
The first known use of "jet" in English with this meaning, referring to the hard, black mineral used for jewelry, appeared around the late 14th century. The adjective "jet black" (meaning very dark black) came from this mineral, as it has a deep, lustrous black color.
So, while both meanings appeared in English around the same time, they developed independently from different linguistic roots!
Phrases + Idioms Containing Jet
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "jet," supplemented as needed:
Jet lag: Extreme tiredness and other physical effects felt by a person after a long flight across different time zones.
Jet set: Wealthy people who travel frequently by jet plane for pleasure.
Jet stream: A fast-flowing, narrow, meandering air current in the atmosphere.
Jet black: A very deep, glossy black color.
Jet propulsion: The method of propelling something (like an aircraft) using a jet of fluid.
On a jet: Traveling by jet aircraft.
To jet off: To leave quickly by jet aircraft for a trip.
A quick jet: A rapid journey or movement. (Original phrase, emphasizing speed)
To gush forth: To stream out forcefully, similar to a jet of water. (Synonymous phrase)
A burst of speed: A sudden acceleration, akin to a jet. (Synonymous effect)
Rocket-powered: Driven by a force similar to a jet. (Synonymous concept)
High-speed travel: Fast movement, often by jet. (Synonymous concept)
Black as night: Very dark, like "jet black." (Synonymous descriptive)
A torrent of words: A rapid, forceful flow of speech, similar to a jet of water. (Metaphorical use of 'torrent')
To move at warp speed: To travel extremely fast, reminiscent of jet-like velocity. (Idiom, often sci-fi inspired)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of jet from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
