ekelt

Ekelt is a word found in Germanic-language usage, most often seen as a verb form meaning to disgust, repulse, or gross out. In German, the verb ekeln expresses a reaction of revulsion to something unpleasant, and ekelt is the third-person singular present tense form. The related noun Ekel denotes disgust or revulsion, while ekelhaft is an adjective meaning disgusting or repulsive. Cognate forms and related terms appear in other Germanic languages with similar meanings, reflecting a shared semantic field around revulsion.

Usage of ekelt covers both sensory and moral dimensions. It can describe a direct, physical reaction to a foul smell, sight, or sensation, as well as a stronger moral or aesthetic disapproval of an action or idea. In everyday speech, phrases using ekeln convey that something provokes a strong negative emotional response in the speaker or in others.

Etymologically, ekeln and its noun Ekel are part of a family of terms centered on revulsion in Germanic languages, with close relatives in neighboring languages. The term is common in dictionaries and language resources and appears in literature, journalism, and media when conveying a vivid expression of dislike or disgust.

See also: Ekel, ekeln, German language.