quaver

[ kwey-ver ]

See synonyms for: quaver quavering on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)

to shake tremulously; quiver or tremble: He stood there quavering with fear.
to sound, speak, or sing tremulously: Her voice quavered a moment and then she regained control.

to perform trills in singing or on a musical instrument.

verb (used with object)

to utter, say, or sing with a quavering or tremulous voice.

noun

a quavering or tremulous shake, especially in the voice.
a quavering tone or utterance.

Music (chiefly British). an eighth note.

Origin of quaver

1400–50; late Middle English quaveren (v.), blend of quake and waver¹

Other words from quaver

qua·ver·er, noun
qua·ver·ing·ly, adverb
qua·ver·y, qua·ver·ous, adjective
un·qua·ver·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use quaver in a sentence

In a quavering voice she says: “We met and we never left each other.”
'In Cold Blood' in Ukraine | Jamie Dettmer | May 3, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
When,” she asks, her voice quavering, “is it going to be enough?
Does the Media Hate Women? | Jessica Bennett | October 20, 2011 | THE DAILY BEAST
As if to bring everyone back to the issue at hand, Knox then spoke, her voice quavering with emotion.
Knox's New Appeal Debacle | Barbie Latza Nadeau | May 21, 2011 | THE DAILY BEAST
“Senator Specter asked us to call you,” the communications director began, his voice quavering.
Beware of Snarlin' Arlen | Lloyd Grove | May 7, 2009 | THE DAILY BEAST
There a familiar sound met his ears—the roll of a drum followed by an incantation in a quavering, high-pitched voice.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol | William J. Locke

When Bardas led him within, he heard the princess's little wind-organ throbbing and quavering.
God Wills It! | William Stearns Davis
"I don't know what you mean," said Mr. Milburgh in a quavering voice.
The Daffodil Mystery | Edgar Wallace
He shook so much that his signature was only a quavering line.
The Planet Strappers | Raymond Zinke Gallun
Her voice was choked as she went on—was quavering as with the contemplation of some strange, yet closely-present idea.
North and South | Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell

British Dictionary definitions for quaver

quaver

/ (ˈkweɪvə) /

verb

to say or sing (something) with a trembling voice
(intr) (esp of the voice) to quiver, tremble, or shake

(intr) rare to sing or play quavers or ornamental trills

noun

music a note having the time value of an eighth of a semibreve: Usual US and Canadian name: eighth note
a tremulous sound or note

Origin of quaver

C15 (in the sense: to vibrate, quiver 1): from quaven to tremble, of Germanic origin; compare Low German quabbeln to tremble

Derived forms of quaver

quaverer, noun
quavering, adjective
quaveringly, adverb
quavery, adjective

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

Browse