tremulous

[ trem-yuh-luhs ]

/ ˈtrɛm yə ləs /

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See synonyms for: tremulous / tremulousness on Thesaurus.com

Definition of tremulous

adjective

(of persons, the body, etc.) characterized by trembling, as from fear, nervousness, or weakness.

timid; timorous; fearful.

(of things) vibratory, shaking, or quivering.

(of writing) done with a trembling hand.

OTHER WORDS FOR tremulous

1 faltering, hesitant, wavering.

2 frightened; afraid.

See synonyms for tremulous on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of tremulous

1605–15; <Latin tremulus, equivalent to trem(ere) to tremble + -ulus adj. suffix

OTHER WORDS FROM tremulous

trem·u·lous·ly, adverbtrem·u·lous·ness, nounun·trem·u·lous, adjectiveun·trem·u·lous·ly, adverb

un·trem·u·lous·ness, noun

Words nearby tremulous

tremolite, tremolo, tremolo arm, tremor, tremulant, tremulous, trenail, trench, trenchant, Trenchard, trench coat

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use tremulous in a sentence

To watch scenes from her movies is to see that truth played out wordlessly, in her glorious, tremulous vitality.
The Last Movie Stars Traces the Legacy of Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward in Six Dazzling Parts|Stephanie Zacharek|July 22, 2022|Time
Yet she still believes her guy is out there, and Lopez, with her joyous, tremulous optimism, makes you believe it too.
Why Jennifer Lopez Remains the Patron Saint of Romantic Comedies|Stephanie Zacharek|February 7, 2022|Time
This year that tremulous feeling of going to the airport became different.
Twin Disasters Turn 2014 Into the Year of Flying Dangerously|Clive Irving|July 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
That tremulous “uhhhh,” which lasted more than a full second, gave the game away.
Democrats Need to Get Specific to Make Obamacare a Winner|Michael Tomasky|February 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The world has moved on from those tremulous Boomer anxieties.
Hillary 2016 Brings Back Boomer Clinton Rage|Michael Tomasky|August 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Rather than risk creating a “tremulous” signature, Lincoln instead commenced massaging his giant hands together.
A Mighty Act: The 150th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation|Harold Holzer|January 1, 2013|DAILY BEAST
They formed tremulous islands about which the water-lilies spread their great heart-shaped leaves and snow-white flowers.
Honey-Bee|Anatole France
My own,” he cried softly, but in tremulous tones, “six months have passed now since I made you a promise.
By Birth a Lady|George Manville Fenn
The tremulous emotion I had observed increased as he said this, and again took the jug from my hand.
My Ten Years' Imprisonment|Silvio Pellico
The bald one's eyes closed and his belly quivered with high, tremulous laughter.
Restricted Tool|Malcolm B. Morehart
He tore apart his shirt with tremulous fingers, to display many a long black scar crawling across his brown chest.
Menotah|Ernest G. Henham

British Dictionary definitions for tremulous

tremulous

/ (ˈtrɛmjʊləs) /

adjective

vibrating slightly; quavering; tremblinga tremulous voice

showing or characterized by fear, anxiety, excitement, etc

Derived forms of tremulous

tremulously, adverbtremulousness, noun

Word Origin for tremulous

C17: from Latin tremulus quivering, from tremere to shake

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

tremulous

Definition of tremulous

OTHER WORDS FOR tremulous

Origin of tremulous

OTHER WORDS FROM tremulous

Words nearby tremulous

Words related to tremulous

How to use tremulous in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for tremulous

Derived forms of tremulous

Word Origin for tremulous