shiver

[ shiv-er ]

/ ˈʃɪv ər /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR shiver 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.

shivers, an attack of shivering or chills (usually preceded by the).

Nearby words

shivah, shivah asar betammuz, shivaree, shive, shively, shiver, shivering owl, shivery, shivoo, shizuoka, shiʿah

Origin of shiver

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

SYNONYMS 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.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR shiver ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

shiv·er·er, nounshiv·er·ing·ly, adverb

Definition for shiver (2 of 2)

shiver

[ shiv-er ]

/ ˈʃɪv ər /

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. 2019

Examples from the Web for shiver

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|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|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|DAILY BEAST
There was one other peculiar moment that gave rise to a shiver of unwanted Somali memories.
From Bullets to Ballet|Sebastian Rich|October 16, 2010|DAILY BEAST

They were completely engaged—almost, Joan thought with a shiver, as good as married!
Why Joan?|Eleanor Mercein Kelly
The airship began to shiver and to shake, and then all of a sudden it began rolling over the ground.
Jacko and Jumpo Kinkytail|Howard R. Garis
Shelton was conscious of a shiver running through the audience which reminded him of a bullfight he had seen in Spain.
The Island Pharisees|John Galsworthy
Down by our camp it had been excessively warm, but here on the hilltop a cold wind was blowing that made us shiver.
The Long Labrador Trail|Dillon Wallace
She looked over Peggy's head at Aunt Elizabeth, and her face was so dreadful it made me shiver.
The Whole Family|William Dean Howells, Mary E. Wilkins Freeman, Mary Heaton

British Dictionary definitions for shiver (1 of 2)

shiver

/ (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

Derived Forms

shiverer, nounshivering, adjective

Word Origin for shiver

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

British Dictionary definitions for shiver (2 of 2)

shiver

/ (ˈʃɪvə) /

verb

to break or cause to break into fragments

noun

a splintered piece

Word Origin for 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