tremble

[trem-buhl]

verb (used without object)

trembled, trembling 

1. to shake involuntarily with quick, short movements, as from fear, excitement, weakness, or cold; quake; quiver.

   Synonyms: shudder

2. to be troubled with fear or apprehension.

3. (of things) to be affected with vibratory motion.

   Synonyms: oscillate

4. to be tremulous, as light or sound.

   His voice trembled.

noun

1. the act of trembling.

2. a state or fit of trembling.

3. (used with a singular verb),  trembles,

   1. Pathology.,  milk sickness.

   2. Veterinary Pathology.,  a toxic condition of cattle and sheep caused by the eating of white snakeroot and characterized by muscular tremors.

tremble

/ ˈtrɛmbəl /

verb

1. to vibrate with short slight movements; quiver

2. to shake involuntarily, as with cold or fear; shiver

3. to experience fear or anxiety

noun

1. the act or an instance of trembling

Other Word Forms

• tremblingly adverb
• untrembling adjective
• untremblingly adverb
• trembly adjective
• trembling adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tremble¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English trem(b)len (verb), from Old French trembler, from Vulgar Latin *tremulāre, derivative of Latin tremulus tremulous

Word History and Origins

Origin of tremble¹

C14: from Old French trembler , from Medieval Latin tremulāre , from Latin tremulus quivering, from tremere to quake

Synonym Study

See shake.

Example Sentences

He trembles in the webbing, even while trying his best to stand still—perhaps his biggest challenge yet since entering Asamando.

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They wept and trembled; tenderly he kissed the top of her head.

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Her hand trembled, but her voice remained firm.

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"It shook the whole building, the windows... it all trembled so much," the man said, adding that people several kilometres away had felt the impact.

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I trembled in his presence and fell to my knees.

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Related Words

• flutter 
• quiver 
• shiver 
• shudder 
• throb 
• wobble