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

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

The Spain full-back was caught on video singing "Haaland you’d better tremble as Cucurella is coming" while celebrating his country's Euro 2024 triumph.

From BBC

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

When my car shifts off the tracks, and I switch into drive to exit the lot, my limbs continue to tremble.

From Salon

Meanwhile, 61% reported that, while they had indeed felt the earth tremble at some point — especially if the quake was on the bigger side — they haven’t felt one in a very long time.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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