Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

jerry-built

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: 4.20 in modern English

Syllables: jer-ry-built
IPA

22

Scrabble Score

10

Letters

3

Syllables

9

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Built cheaply and shoddily.

Example Sentences

"1832, Liverpool Mercury, ‘…members of the Bluebell Club, the Jerry-Building society, &c…’ (via https://theprioryandthecastironshore.wordpress.com/2017/07/06/jerry-builder-origin-of-the-term/)"
"He had tried other building speculations, had run up other “jerry-built” houses, and had failed utterly, hopelessly."
"Reigns supreme for jerry-built Houses tricked out with gorgeous gilt, Like cakes o' gingerbread, that crumble, And in another century 'll tumble"

Etymology

Unknown; there are many theories. I was led to believe it referred to houses built by German pow’s See jerry (possibly etymologically related).

Phrases

jerry-rigged jerry-build jerry-builder jury-rigged scratch-built

Frequently Paired Words

jerry-build jerry-builder jerrybuilder jury-rigged scratch-built shoddy

Questions

What does jerry-built mean?: Built cheaply and shoddily.
Where does jerry-built come from?: Unknown; there are many theories. I was led to believe it referred to houses built by German pow’s See jerry (possibly etymologically related).

How to pronounce jerry-built

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