tremble
[ trem-buhl ]
/ ˈtrɛm bəl /
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verb (used without object), trem·bled, trem·bling.
to shake involuntarily with quick, short movements, as from fear, excitement, weakness, or cold; quake; quiver.
to be troubled with fear or apprehension.
(of things) to be affected with vibratory motion.
to be tremulous, as light or sound: His voice trembled.
noun
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Origin of tremble
First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English trem(b)len (verb), from Old French trembler, from Vulgar Latin *tremulāre, derivative of Latin tremulustremulous
synonym study for tremble
1. See shake.
OTHER WORDS FROM tremble
trem·bling·ly, adverbun·trem·bling, adjectiveun·trem·bling·ly, adverbDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use tremble in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for tremble
tremble
/ (ˈtrɛmbəl) /
verb (intr)
to vibrate with short slight movements; quiver
to shake involuntarily, as with cold or fear; shiver
to experience fear or anxiety
noun
the act or an instance of trembling
Derived forms of tremble
trembling, adjectivetremblingly, adverbtrembly, adjectiveWord Origin for tremble
C14: from Old French trembler, from Medieval Latin tremulāre, from Latin tremulus quivering, from tremere to quake
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