tremor

noun

trem·​or ˈtre-mər 

1

a

: a trembling or shaking usually from physical weakness, emotional stress, or disease

b

: nervous excitement

2

: a quivering or vibratory motion

especially : a discrete small movement following or preceding a major seismic event

3

a

: a feeling of uncertainty or insecurity

a tremor of hesitation

b

: a cause of such a feeling

Synonyms

• quake
• earthquake

Examples of tremor in a Sentence

Small tremors were still being felt several days after the earthquake.

I heard a tremor in her voice.

His tremors were caused by the disease.

Recent Examples on the Web

Weak to light shaking was detected, and people in multiple cities - such as Huntington Beach, Winchester, Menifee and Sun City - reported feeling the tremor, according to the USGS DYFI report. —Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2025

Nvidia has shot to a remarkable $4 trillion-plus market cap and can move markets now by virtue of its tremors. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 Sep. 2025

Residents in the capital Kabul – west of the epicenter – reportedly felt tremors. —Helen Regan, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025

Parkinson’s disease primarily affects the nervous system, particularly the brain, causing tremors, stiffness, and slow movement. —Zach Lachance, The Washington Examiner, 1 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English tremour, from Anglo-French tremor, from Latin, from tremere

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for tremor

• emmer
• condemnor

Kids Definition

tremor

noun

trem·​or ˈtrem-ər 

1

: a trembling or shaking usually caused by weakness or disease

2

: a quivering or vibrating motion

especially : a small movement of the earth before or after an earthquake

Medical Definition

tremor

noun

trem·​or ˈtrem-ər 

: a trembling or shaking usually from physical weakness, emotional stress, or disease

tremors of the hands