stunt

IPA/stʌnt/
KK[stˈʌnt]IPA/stʌnt/

stunt — noun

  • stuntsingular
  • stuntsplural

1. A dangerous or exciting action that a trained person performs in a film, televis

1.nounB2
Definition

A dangerous or exciting action that a trained person performs in a film, television show, or live performance.

Example

The director hired a professional driver to perform the car chase stunt.

collocation: perform + a stunt

Mei-Lin watched in awe as the stunt double leapt from the moving train onto a mattress.

noun modifier: stunt double

Common collocations
  • perform a stunt
  • stunt double
  • stunt performer
  • stunt coordinator
  • carry out a stunt
  • dangerous stunt
Synonyms
  • feat

    More general; can describe any impressive achievement, not necessarily dangerous or for entertainment.

  • trick

    Often implies deception or skill; 'trick' sounds less physically demanding than 'stunt'.

  • daredevil act

    More informal; emphasises the risk-taking personality rather than the performance context.

Grammar Patterns

stunt + of + noun

perform + a stunt

Usage Note

Countable noun. Collocates strongly with verbs like 'perform', 'carry out', and 'attempt'. The person who performs the action is called a 'stunt performer' or 'stunt double'.

Common Mistakes

The actor did a dangerous stunt man.
The actor hired a stunt man for the dangerous scene.
'stunt man' is the person, not the action.

2. Something that a person or group does deliberately in order to attract public at

2.nounB2
Definition

Something that a person or group does deliberately in order to attract public attention, especially in a way that seems silly or dishonest.

Example

The politician's public apology was seen as a cheap stunt to win back voters.

collocation: cheap stunt

Jumping into the fountain was a silly stunt that got the students into trouble with the principal.

Common collocations
  • publicity stunt
  • cheap stunt
  • political stunt
  • marketing stunt
  • campaign stunt
Synonyms
  • publicity gimmick

    Similar meaning but more specific to marketing contexts; 'gimmick' emphasises the trickery aspect.

  • attention grabber

    More informal; can be neutral or mildly positive, unlike 'stunt' which is usually critical.

Grammar Patterns

publicity stunt

stunt + to-infinitive

Usage Note

Often carries a negative or critical tone. 'Publicity stunt' is the most common fixed phrase. 'Stunt' in this sense typically implies an element of showmanship or dishonesty.

Common Mistakes

The charity event was a good stunt.
The charity event was a good way to raise awareness.
'Stunt' carries a negative tone; use a neutral word like 'event' or 'campaign' for positive actions.

3. In American football, a defensive tactic where two or more players exchange thei

3.nounC1
Definition

In American football, a defensive tactic where two or more players exchange their positions on the line of scrimmage immediately before the ball is snapped, aiming to disorient the offensive team.

Example

The linebacker called a stunt to confuse the quarterback right before the snap.

collocation: call a stunt

Coach Rivera's well-timed stunt helped the team stop the running back for a loss of yards.

Common collocations
  • call a stunt
  • run a stunt
  • defensive stunt
  • linebacker stunt
  • stunt play
Synonyms
  • defensive shift

    A broader term for any defensive repositioning; 'stunt' is a specific type of shift.

  • position swap

    More literal explanation of what happens during a stunt, but not the standard football term.

Grammar Patterns

call a stunt

run a stunt

Usage Note

American English only; not used in other sports. The term is specific to gridiron football and is uncommon in everyday conversation. Learners may encounter it in sports commentary or video games.

stunt — verb

stunt — adjective

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe impressive actions, but they differ in context and tone. 'Stunt' (noun/1) specifically refers to a dangerous or exciting action performed for entertainment, especially in films — it always carries an element of risk and spectacle. 'Feat' is broader and more formal; it describes any difficult achievement requiring skill or strength, from 'a feat of engineering' to 'an athletic feat', without necessarily implying danger. 'Trick' often involves deception or cleverness — a magician performs 'tricks', not 'stunts'. 'Exploit' is a more formal and admiring term for a brave or heroic action, used in historical or military contexts ('his wartime exploits'). 'Daredevil act' is informal and emphasises the performer's fearless personality more than the performance context. For a learner, when describing a planned dangerous scene in a film, always use 'stunt'. For everyday achievements, 'feat' is safer.

feat ↗trick ↗exploit ↗daredevil act

Common collocations

Phrases

  • pull a stunt
  • pull off a stunt
  • be stunted by

Etymology

Old EnglishOld NorseAmerican EnglishEnglish

The word 'stunt' has two separate origins that came together in modern English. The verb 'stunt' (meaning 'to stop from growing') comes from an Old English word 'stuntian', which meant 'to make dull or foolish', related to the Old Norse 'stuttr' meaning 'short'. The noun 'stunt' (meaning 'a daring action') is much newer — it first appeared in 19th-century American college slang, probably from 'stint' (a period of work), with the spelling altered to suggest 'sturdy' or 'stunning'. By the early 1900s, 'stunt' was being used for dangerous actions in films and air shows, and later for attention-seeking acts of any kind.