shiver

[ shiv-er ]

See synonyms for: shiver shivering shivers on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)

to shake or tremble with cold, fear, excitement, etc.
Nautical.
- (of a fore-and-aft sail) to shake when too close to the wind.
- (of a sailing vessel) to be headed so close to the wind that the sails shake.

noun

a tremulous motion; a tremble or quiver: The thought sent a shiver down her spine.
(the) shivers, an attack of shivering or chills.

Origin of shiver

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English noun chivere; later sh-, apparently for the sake of alliteration in phrase chiver and shake

synonym study For shiver

1. Shiver, quake, shudder refer to a vibratory muscular movement, a trembling, usually involuntary. We shiver with cold, or a sensation such as that of cold: to shiver in thin clothing on a frosty day; to shiver with pleasant anticipation. We quake especially with fear: to quake with fright. We shudder with horror or abhorrence; the agitation is more powerful and deep-seated than shivering or trembling: to shudder at pictures of a concentration camp.

Other words from shiver

shiv·er·er, noun
shiv·er·ing·ly, adverb

Words Nearby shiver

Other definitions for shiver (2 of 2)

shiver²

[ shiv-er ]

verb (used with or without object)

to break or split into fragments.

noun

a fragment; splinter.

Origin of shiver

1150–1200; (noun) Middle English schivere fragment; cognate with German Schiefer schist; (v.) Middle English schiveren, derivative of the noun

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

How to use shiver in a sentence

By correlating a seismic event on one side of the world with the shiver it produces on the other, scientists infer what happened in between.
Seismic ‘Telescope’ Reveals a Titanic, Tree-Like Plume Feeding Earth’s Volcanoes | Jason Dorrier | October 17, 2021 | Singularity Hub
Threats to Taiwan, the self-governing island only slightly bigger than Maryland, are sending shivers through the global tech industry.
Why threats to Taiwan are a nightmare for tech | Ina Fried | April 9, 2021 | Axios
There’s a hint of feminism in both books, and they’ll both give you shivers for months after you finish them.
Best books of 2020 | Terri Schlichenmeyer | January 10, 2021 | Washington Blade
It’s hard not to feel a shiver of apprehension for her as she walks, alone, down a long country road to knock on the door of a man who’s been avoiding her interview requests for years.
Harvard students told a lurid tale of murder. Was it true? | Marin Cogan | December 11, 2020 | Washington Post
Lauren Graham does beautiful things with her voice through the whole show, but the way she says, “Hey there, birthday girl,” with a hopeful, hesitant shiver in her tone, is a killer.
Every episode of Gilmore Girls, ranked | Constance Grady | October 6, 2020 | Vox

You know, a novel comes not from a decision but a frisson, a sort of shiver that goes through you.
Martin Amis Talks About Nazis, Novels, and Cute Babies | Ronald K. Fried | October 9, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
When pressed on who he thought killed Kennedy, Nixon “would shiver and say, ‘Texas,’” said Stone.
Roger Stone’s New Book ‘Solves’ JFK Assassination: Johnson Did It! | David Freedlander | May 14, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
I remember being shocked that shiver sold in 38 countries, because I thought it was such a particularly “me” story.
Maggie Stiefvater Talks New Novel ‘The Raven Boys,’ Fast Cars, and YA Fiction | Doug Stanton | September 28, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
The friction of those little strings still makes my skin shiver, but when in Rome… head to Malika.
Gal With a Suitcase | Jolie Hunt | February 26, 2011 | THE DAILY BEAST
For Americans of a certain age, these words, even in our cynical time, yield a shiver of nostalgia, but also of purpose.
Remembering the Wordsmith | Richard J. Tofel | November 1, 2010 | THE DAILY BEAST
Presently he began to shiver so, with some sort of a chill, that I took off my coat and wrapped it round him.
The Boarded-Up House | Augusta Huiell Seaman
Still a-shiver at dawn, I saddled up and loped for the crest of the nearest divide to get the benefit of the first sun-rays.
Raw Gold | Bertrand W. Sinclair
Alfaretta's face assumed a look of great solemnity and a shiver of real fear ran over her.
Dorothy at Skyrie | Evelyn Raymond
It sent a shiver through me, and even old Piegan stood aghast at the malevolent determination of the man.
Raw Gold | Bertrand W. Sinclair
To his lifes end Tchaikovsky could never recall this hour without a shiver of horror.
The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky | Modeste Tchaikovsky

British Dictionary definitions for shiver (1 of 2)

shiver¹

/ (ˈʃɪvə) /

verb(intr)

to shake or tremble, as from cold or fear
- (of a sail) to luff; flap or shake
- (of a sailing vessel) to sail close enough to the wind to make the sails luff

noun

the act of shivering; a tremulous motion
the shivers an attack of shivering, esp through fear or illness

Origin of shiver

C13 chiveren, perhaps variant of chevelen to chatter (used of teeth), from Old English ceafl jowl 1

Derived forms of shiver

shiverer, noun
shivering, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for shiver (2 of 2)

shiver²

/ (ˈʃɪvə) /

verb

to break or cause to break into fragments

noun

a splintered piece

Origin of shiver

C13: of Germanic origin; compare Old High German scivaro, Middle Dutch scheveren to shiver, Old Norse skīfa to split

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

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