shivery

[shiv-uh-ree]

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adjective

inclined to or characterized by shivers, quivers, or tremors.

causing shivering.

Origin of shivery

First recorded in 1740–50; shiver¹ + -y¹

shivery

[shiv-uh-ree]

adjective

readily breaking into shivers or fragments; brittle.

Origin of shivery

First recorded in 1675–85; shiver² + -y¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for shivery

aquiver, quaky, quivering, quivery, shaky, tremulant, twittery, wobbly, palpitating, quavering, shivering, trembling, arctic, benumbed, biting, bitter, bleak, boreal, brisk, chill

Examples from the Web for shivery

Contemporary Examples of shivery

This is our first public online chat about our findings, so we're shivery with anticipation.
Newsweek Live Chat: What the Internet Can Teach Us About Sex
The Daily Beast
April 25, 2011

Historical Examples of shivery

But he was cold and shivery, so the children wrapped him up.
Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue in the Sunny South
Laura Lee Hope
She was very cold and shivery, and put on her fur coat and cap.
Beyond
John Galsworthy
To Jack it seemed sort of shivery work, being off there alone.
Jack in the Rockies
George Bird Grinnell
The thermometer was at 79, but I was quite as shivery as they were.
Miss Eden's Letters
Emily Eden
“Why, Hazel dear, you look quite white and shivery,” she said.
Harley Greenoak's Charge
Bertram Mitford

British Dictionary definitions for shivery

shivery

adjective

inclined to shiver or tremble

causing shivering, esp through cold or fear

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

Word Origin and History for shivery

adj.

"characterized by shaking," 1747, from shiver (v.1) + -y (2).