quaver

¹qua·ver

verb \ˈkwā-vər\

qua·veredqua·ver·ing\ˈkwā-və-riŋ, ˈkwāv-riŋ\

Definition of QUAVER

intransitive verb

1

: tremble

2

: trill

3

: to utter sound in tremulous tones

transitive verb

: to utter quaveringly

— qua·ver·ing·ly adverb

— qua·very \ˈkwā-və-rē, ˈkwāv-rē\ adjective

Examples of QUAVER

1. Her voice quavered during the speech.
2. He spoke in quavering tones.

Origin of QUAVER

Middle English, frequentative of quaven to tremble

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to QUAVER

Synonyms: warble, trill

Related Words: slur; yodel; belt, carol, chant, chorus, croon, descant, harmonize, troll, vocalize; lilt, scat

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Rhymes with QUAVER

caver, claver, favor, flavor, graver, haver, laver, raver, saver, savor, shaver, slaver, waiver, waver