What it means
Used when you’re genuinely shocked or emotionally rattled, like your whole system just got jolted. Comes out of African American English, then got turbocharged by internet culture, reality TV, and stan Twitter. You can be scared, impressed, or just dramatically overwhelmed, but the vibe is the same: you need a minute to recover and regroup.
Usage examples
"She told me she’s moving out tomorrow, already found a new spot, and left the keys at the bodega. I’m shook, deadass."
"I was proper shook when the lights went out mid-film, jumped right out my seat."
"She looked shook after the near miss, took her a minute to get her words back."
Other ways to say it
Editors of this term
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