# bolt

> English word · Noun · IPA /bɒlt/ · frequency rank #6,659

## Definitions
1. A (usually) metal fastener consisting of a cylindrical body that is threaded, with a larger head on one end. It can be inserted into an unthreaded hole up to the head, with a nut then threaded on the other end; a heavy machine screw.
2. Latch-related senses
3. Latch-related senses
4. Latch-related senses
5. An iron to fasten the legs of a prisoner; a shackle; a fetter.
6. A stalk or scape (of garlic, onion, etc).
7. A large roll of fabric or similar material, as a bolt of cloth.
8. A large roll of fabric or similar material, as a bolt of cloth.
9. Senses involving sudden movement
10. Senses involving sudden movement
11. Senses involving sudden movement
12. Senses involving sudden movement
13. Senses involving sudden movement
14. Senses involving sudden movement
15. Senses involving sudden movement

## Etymology
From Middle English bolt, from Old English bolt, from Proto-West Germanic *bolt, from Proto-Germanic *bultaz, perhaps from Proto-Indo-European *bʰeld- (“to knock, strike”). Compare Lithuanian beldu (“I knock”), baldas (“pole for striking”). Akin to Dutch and West Frisian bout, German Bolz or Bolzen, Danish bolt, Swedish bult, Icelandic bolti.
The association of thunder and lightning with 'bolts' is found back into prehistory in many cultures, at least in Eurasia. It comes from the long-standing widespread belief that lightning was caused by bolts, darts, or stones hurtling down from the sky to the earth. This belief was still regarded as commonplace until at least 1929.

## Easily confused with
- **Bt** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bolt-vs-bt)
- **but** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bolt-vs-but)
- **boy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bolt-vs-boy)
- **box** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bolt-vs-box)
- **bow** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bolt-vs-bow)
- **boo** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bolt-vs-boo)
- **bot** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bolt-vs-bot)
- **BON** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bolt-vs-bon)
- **bop** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bolt-vs-bop)
- **BOM** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bolt-vs-bom)
- **bor** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bolt-vs-bor)
- **both** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bolt-vs-both)
- **book** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bolt-vs-book)
- **born** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bolt-vs-born)
- **boys** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bolt-vs-boys)
- **boss** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bolt-vs-boss)
- **bowl** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bolt-vs-bowl)
- **bomb** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bolt-vs-bomb)
- **bond** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bolt-vs-bond)
- **bone** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bolt-vs-bone)

## Common misspellings (5)
`bbolt`, `bollt`, `boltt`, `botl`, `oblt`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/bolt