shiver

1 of 4

noun (1)

shiv·​er ˈshi-vər 

: one of the small pieces into which a brittle thing is broken by sudden violence

shiver

2 of 4

verb (1)

shivered; shivering ˈshi-və-riŋ 

ˈshiv-riŋ

transitive + intransitive

: to break into many small pieces : shatter

… a lightning bolt shivered the tree and knocked him down.

—Charles B. Galloway

The glass of the bowl shivered into splinters …

—Mazo de la Roche

shiver

3 of 4

verb (2)

shivered; shivering

intransitive verb

1

: to undergo trembling : quiver

2

: to tremble in the wind as it strikes first one and then the other side (of a sail)

transitive verb

: to cause (a sail) to shiver by steering close to the wind

shiver

4 of 4

noun (2)

1

: an instance of shivering : tremble

2

: an intense shivery sensation especially of fear

—often used in plural with the

horror movies give him the shivers

3

: a hard blow (as with a forearm) especially to the head or neck

Synonyms of shiver

Noun (2)

• shudder
• tremble

Examples of shiver in a Sentence

Noun (2)

the prisoner experienced a sudden shiver when confronted with the sight of the dark basement

looking down from the window ledge sent shivers up my spine

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

But there are hidden masses among us who need only catch a glimpse of its college-Photoshop cover art—a Statue of Liberty with her dress hiked up, dancing like the recession had just been declared over—to feel an instant shiver of pathos and pain. — Jia Tolentino, New Yorker, 5 July 2026

This is sending shivers down the spines of regular Democrats, who now sheepishly admit the party has been turned over to the left-wing loons. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 27 June 2026

Verb

Prioritize Guest Comfort A stunning backyard doesn’t mean much if guests are shivering or slapping mosquitoes away all night. — Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 23 June 2026

Folks shivering in the freezing cold to deliver our packages, picking up trash to keep our parks clean. — Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 18 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English; akin to Old High German scivaro splinter

Verb (2)

Middle English, alteration of chiveren

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun (2)

1727, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing shiver

• a chill/shiver runs up/down someone's spine
• make a chill/shiver run up/down someone's spine
• send a chill/shiver up/down someone's spine

Rhymes for shiver

• giver
• liver
• livre
• quiver
• river
• sliver
• caregiver
• deliver
• downriver
• lawgiver
• upriver

Kids Definition

shiver

1 of 4 noun

shiv·​er ˈshiv-ər 

: one of the small pieces into which a brittle thing is broken by great force

shiver

2 of 4 verb

shivered; shivering ˈshiv-(ə-)riŋ 

: to break into many small pieces : shatter

shiver

3 of 4 verb

shivered; shivering

ˈshiv-(ə-)riŋ

: to shake involuntarily (as from cold or fear)

shiver

4 of 4 noun

1

: an instance of shivering

2

: a thrill of emotion and especially of fear

—usually used in plural with the

a ghost story that would give you the shivers

Etymology

Noun

Middle English shiver "a small piece of something that is broken"

Verb

Middle English shiveren, an altered form of chiveren "to tremble, shiver"

Medical Definition

shiver

1 of 2 intransitive verb

shiv·​er ˈshiv-ər 

: to undergo trembling : experience rapid involuntary muscular twitching especially in response to cold

shiver

2 of 2 noun

: an instance of shivering