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

tremors being felt days after the earthquake

3

a

: a feeling of uncertainty or insecurity

a tremor of hesitation

b

: a cause of such a feeling

Synonyms of tremor

• 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

For the last few years, my dad, an Army veteran with my bone-dry sense of humor, has fought a progressive neurological disorder that causes severe tremors in his arms, legs and neck. — Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2026

Staff would be expected to evacuate patients in the event of a major tremor, but the plan stops there, according to Bubenek. — Andrei Popoviciu, The Dial, 21 July 2026

People who develop racing heartbeats, tremors, anxiety, insomnia, reflux, headaches or reproducible palpitations after drinking coffee should not ignore those symptoms simply because population studies are reassuring. — Robert Glatter, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

The lakeside quake was the second tremor to hit the Land of Lincoln this year. — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026

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