judder

American  

[juhd-er] / ˈdʒʌd ər /

verb (used without object)

1. to vibrate violently.

   an old automobile with a clutch that judders.

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noun

1. a state or instance of juddering.

judder British  

/ ˈdʒʌdə /

verb

1. (intr) to shake or vibrate

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noun

1. abnormal vibration in a mechanical system, esp due to grabbing between friction surfaces, as in the clutch of a motor vehicle

2. a juddering motion

Etymology

Origin of judder

First recorded in 1925–30; origin uncertain; perhaps j(olt) or j(erk) + (sh)udder

Example Sentences

When we are out of sync, he says, we experience it as a kind of judder or twinge of social discomfort which “is your brain working a little harder to fix predictions that are wrong.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026

AR use was at times visually busy: insects and starbursts appeared tangential to the action, and there were a few instances of slight judder.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 26, 2023

There was, medics said, a "slight judder" felt in the operating theatre, and a cheer erupted in the room.

From BBC • Nov. 22, 2020

With a buzz and a judder and the sharp smell of engine oil, the plane took off.

From New York Times • Nov. 22, 2019

The muted thunder of the plumbing—she had not noticed it begin—ceased with a judder that shook the air.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan

Related Words

• fluctuation
• oscillation
• pulse
• reverberation
• tremor