verb (used with object), jos·tled, jos·tling.
- to bump, push, shove, brush against, or elbow roughly or rudely.
- to drive or force by, or as if by, pushing or shoving: The crowd jostled him into the subway.
- to exist in close contact or proximity with: The three families jostle each other in the small house.
- to contend with: rival gangs continually jostling each other.
- to unsettle; disturb: The thought jostled her complacency.
- Slang. to pick the pocket of.
verb (used without object), jos·tled, jos·tling.
- to bump or brush against someone or something, as in passing or in a crowd; push or shove (often followed by with, for, or against): He jostled for position.
- to exist in close contact or proximity with someone or something.
- to compete; contend.
- Slang. to pick pockets.
noun
- a shock, push, bump, or brush against someone or something.
verb
- to bump or push (someone) roughly
- to come or bring into contact
- to force (one’s way) by pushing
noun
- the act of jostling
- a rough bump or push
1540s, justle, “to knock against,” formed from jousten (see joust) + frequentative suffix -tle. The usual spelling 17c.-18c. was justle. An earlier meaning of the word was “to have sex with” (c.1400). Meaning “to contend for the best position or place” is from 1610s. Related: Jostled; jostling. As a noun from c.1600.