quiver

1 of 3

noun (1)

quiv·​er ˈkwi-vər 

1

: a case for carrying or holding arrows

2

: the arrows in a quiver

quiver

2 of 3

verb

quivered; quivering ˈkwi-və-riŋ 

ˈkwiv-riŋ

intransitive verb

: to shake or move with a slight trembling motion

quiveringly adverb

quiver

3 of 3

noun (2)

: the act or action of quivering : tremor

Synonyms

Verb

• shake
• shudder
• jerk
• tremble
• vibrate
• shiver

Noun (2)

• shiver
• shudder
• tremble

Examples of quiver in a Sentence

Verb

Her lips quivered when she heard the bad news.

aspen leaves quivering in the breeze

Noun (2)

a quiver ran through the audience when the monster cornered the movie's hero

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Shooting At this point, every NBA player has size or shooting as a bow in their quiver. —Mat Issa, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025

And while there’s no history there, necessarily — Prock is winning at a clip that is making record books quiver. —Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2025

Verb

Those emotional generators are apparent on the title track, a minimal hymn of salvation wrapped in Springsteen’s quivering voice. —Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 24 June 2025

My son swayed gently between my legs, still wearing last night’s jammies, azure eyes trained on the flutist’s quivering embouchure. —Ashlea Halpern, AFAR Media, 30 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French quivre, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English cocer quiver, Old High German kohhari

Verb

Middle English, probably from quiver agile, quick; akin to Old English cwiferlice zealously

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1786, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for quiver

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

Kids Definition

quiver

1 of 3 noun

quiv·​er ˈkwiv-ər 

1

: a case for carrying arrows

2

: the arrows in a quiver

quiver

2 of 3 verb

quivered; quivering ˈkwiv-(ə-)riŋ 

: to move with a slight shaking motion

quiver

3 of 3 noun

: the act or action of quivering : tremor

Etymology

Noun

Middle English quiver "a case for carrying arrows," from early French quivre (same meaning); of Germanic origin

Verb

Middle English quiveren "to quiver," probably from quiver "agile, quick"