tremble

1 of 2

verb

trem·​ble ˈtrem-bəl 

trembled; trembling ˈtrem-b(ə-)liŋ 

intransitive verb

1

: to shake involuntarily (as with fear or cold) : shiver

2

: to move, sound, pass, or come to pass as if shaken or tremulous

the building trembled from the blast

3

: to be affected with great fear or anxiety

trembled for the safety of her child

trembler

ˈtrem-b(ə-)lər 

noun

tremble

2 of 2

noun

1

: an act or instance of trembling

especially : a fit or spell of involuntary shaking or quivering

2

trembles plural in form but singular in construction : severe poisoning of livestock and especially cattle by a toxic alcohol present in a snakeroot (Eupatorium rugosum) and rayless goldenrod that is characterized especially by muscular tremors, weakness, and constipation

Synonyms

Noun

• quiver
• shiver
• shudder

Examples of tremble in a Sentence

Verb

His arms and legs began to tremble.

My voice trembled as I began to speak.

I opened the letter with trembling hands.

The house trembled as the big truck drove by.

Noun

with a tremble, she ventured out into the snow

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The woman was terrified of having to look at or touch her boyfriend’s feet, causing physical symptoms—sweating, trembling hands, heart palpitations, ringing in her ears—followed by ruminating thoughts and a deep sense of shame. —Angela Haupt, TIME, 22 May 2024

Jason was unable to keep his eyes open and was trembling while waiting for medical attention, according to his family. —Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French trembler, from Medieval Latin tremulare, from Latin tremulus tremulous, from tremere to tremble; akin to Greek tremein to tremble

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1609, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

tremble

1 of 2 verb

trem·​ble ˈtrem-bəl 

trembled; trembling -b(ə-)liŋ 

1

: to shake uncontrollably (as with fear or cold) : shiver

2

: to move, sound, or happen as if shaken

the building trembled from the blast

my voice trembled

3

: to have strong fear or doubt

I tremble to think what might happen

trembler

-b(ə-)lər 

noun

tremble

2 of 2 noun

1

: a fit or spell of uncontrollable shaking or quivering

2

: a tremor or series of tremors