quake

1 of 2

verb

ˈkwāk 

quaked; quaking

intransitive verb

1

: to shake or vibrate usually from shock or instability

2

: to tremble or shudder usually from cold or fear

quake

2 of 2

noun

: an instance of shaking or trembling (as of the earth or moon)

especially : earthquake

Synonyms

Verb

• agitate
• bucket
• convulse
• jerk
• jiggle
• joggle
• jolt
• jounce
• judder [chiefly British]
• quiver
• shake
• shudder
• vibrate
• wobble
• wabble

Noun

• earthquake
• shake
• temblor
• tremor

Examples of quake in a Sentence

Verb

She was quaking with rage.

The explosion made the whole house quake.

Noun

the quake registered 6.5 on the Richter scale, causing widespread damage

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Produced entirely by Pharrell, the new album is full of the noxious synths and quaking 808s of the Clipse’s classic work. —Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 4 Sep. 2024

My best friend was quaking in her boots/thongs, ngl. —Refinery29 Australia Team, refinery29.com, 9 Apr. 2024

Noun

While no affects will be felt on Earth, Apophis may experience some quakes and even landslides, the ESA said. —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 16 Aug. 2024

Advertisement Thursday’s Lake Elsinore quake was centered more than 50 miles to the southeast. —Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Old English cwacian

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

quake

1 of 2 verb

ˈkwāk 

quaked; quaking

1

: to shake or vibrate usually from shock or lack of stability

2

: to tremble or shudder usually from cold or fear

quake

2 of 2 noun

: a shaking or trembling

especially : earthquake