tremulous

[ trem-yuh-luhs ]
See synonyms for: tremuloustremulousness on Thesaurus.com

adjective
  1. (of persons, the body, etc.) characterized by trembling, as from fear, nervousness, or weakness.

  2. timid; timorous; fearful.

  1. (of things) vibratory, shaking, or quivering.

  2. (of writing) done with a trembling hand.

Origin of tremulous

1
1605–15; <Latin tremulus, equivalent to trem(ere) to tremble + -ulus adj. suffix

Other words for tremulous

Other words from tremulous

  • trem·u·lous·ly, adverb
  • trem·u·lous·ness, noun
  • un·trem·u·lous, adjective
  • un·trem·u·lous·ly, adverb
  • un·trem·u·lous·ness, noun

Words Nearby tremulous

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use tremulous in a sentence

  • Rather than risk creating a “tremulous” signature, Lincoln instead commenced massaging his giant hands together.

  • They formed tremulous islands about which the water-lilies spread their great heart-shaped leaves and snow-white flowers.

    Honey-Bee | Anatole France
  • My own,” he cried softly, but in tremulous tones, “six months have passed now since I made you a promise.

    By Birth a Lady | George Manville Fenn
  • The tremulous emotion I had observed increased as he said this, and again took the jug from my hand.

  • The bald one's eyes closed and his belly quivered with high, tremulous laughter.

    Restricted Tool | Malcolm B. Morehart
  • He tore apart his shirt with tremulous fingers, to display many a long black scar crawling across his brown chest.

    Menotah | Ernest G. Henham

British Dictionary definitions for tremulous

tremulous

/ (ˈtrɛmjʊləs) /


adjective
  1. vibrating slightly; quavering; trembling: a tremulous voice

  2. showing or characterized by fear, anxiety, excitement, etc

Origin of tremulous

1
C17: from Latin tremulus quivering, from tremere to shake

Derived forms of tremulous

  • tremulously, adverb
  • tremulousness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012