tremble

[ trem-buhl ]

verb (used without object)

, trem·bled, trem·bling.

1. to shake involuntarily with quick, short movements, as from fear, excitement, weakness, or cold; quake; quiver.

   Synonyms: shudder

2. to be troubled with fear or apprehension.
3. (of things) to be affected with vibratory motion.

   Synonyms: oscillate

4. to be tremulous, as light or sound:

   His voice trembled.

noun

1. the act of trembling.
2. a state or fit of trembling.
3. trembles, (used with a singular verb)
   1. Pathology. milk sickness.
   2. Veterinary Pathology. a toxic condition of cattle and sheep caused by the eating of white snakeroot and characterized by muscular tremors.

tremble

/ ˈtrɛmbəl /

verb

1. to vibrate with short slight movements; quiver
2. to shake involuntarily, as with cold or fear; shiver
3. to experience fear or anxiety

noun

1. the act or an instance of trembling

Derived Forms

• ˈtrembly, adjective
• ˈtrembling, adjective
• ˈtremblingly, adverb

Other Words From

• trembling·ly adverb
• un·trembling adjective
• un·trembling·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of tremble¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English trem(b)len (verb), from Old French trembler, from Vulgar Latin *tremulāre, derivative of Latin tremulus tremulous

Word History and Origins

Origin of tremble¹

C14: from Old French trembler , from Medieval Latin tremulāre , from Latin tremulus quivering, from tremere to quake

Synonym Study

See shake.

Example Sentences

The ground trembled so violently some people thought there was an earthquake.

From BBC

The retired aerospace engineer, who lives in Sierra Madre, did about four reps before his teeth clenched, his legs trembled and he let out short puffs of air through pursed lips.

From Los Angeles Times

Describing this as a "peace through strength approach", he added: "Putin should respect our strength, not have the free world tremble at his threats."

From BBC

Again and again, as my forearms trembled and my fingers ached, my feet slipped on the mercilessly smooth granite.

From Los Angeles Times

In the Los Feliz-East Hollywood area, one person felt two waves of shaking — an initial wave, followed by an easing of shaking, then walls starting to tremble.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• flutter
• quiver
• shiver
• shudder
• throb
• wobble