ˈɡælvənaɪ̯z ˈstɑːt(ə)l ˈstɑɹt(ə)l ˈstɑːt(ə)l ˈstɑɹt(ə)l a sudden involuntary movement he awoke with a start to stimulate to action the loud noise startled him awake galvanized into action move or jump suddenly, as if in surprise or alarm She startled when I walked into the room