shudder

American  

[shuhd-er] / ˈʃʌd ər /

verb (used without object)

1. to tremble with a sudden convulsive movement, as from horror, fear, or cold.

   Synonyms:

   quiver

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noun

1. a convulsive movement of the body, as from horror, fear, or cold.

shudder British  

/ ˈʃʌdə /

verb

1. (intr) to shake or tremble suddenly and violently, as from horror, fear, aversion, etc

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noun

1. the act of shuddering; convulsive shiver

Related Words

See shiver ¹.

Other Word Forms

• shuddering adjective
• shudderingly adverb
• shuddery adjective

Etymology

Origin of shudder

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English shodderen (verb) (cognate with German schaudern, from Low German ), frequentative of Old English scūdan “to tremble”; -er ⁶

Example Sentences

Then, he satirizes conservatives’ discomfort with his Blackness by sitting silently as Martin Short, playing a nervous young Republican delivering a hackneyed diatribe, shudders in his presence before scampering offstage to fall apart.

From Salon

My entire body shuddered from the cold water, and she helped me out after only 30 seconds.

From Los Angeles Times

So, too, is the film’s music, composer Anthony Willis and soundtrack artist Charlie XCX entwining raspy strings with grimy, ominous shudders.

From Los Angeles Times

Rowan hugged himself and shuddered, sheltering behind the tall figure of Marlie from those terrible red eyes.

From Literature

He shuddered to think that he’d once wanted to catch one and befriend it.

From Literature

Related Words

• gyrate
• shiver
• tremble