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 of quiver

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

As the last rusty leaves fell from the trees in the parks and historic piazzas, the birds swooped down, rummaging and pecking and shaking their feathers, then flew off again with quivers of delight. —Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026

One arrow in this marine quiver is the use of aircraft to patrol over vast distances while dropping sonobuoys to seek out subs. —New Atlas, 18 Jan. 2026

Verb

Over the years, Andrews has garnered comparisons to fellow Arizona native Linda Ronstadt for her rich, clear tone, which can modulate from quivering vibrato to crystalline belt on a dime. —Lily Goldberg, Pitchfork, 20 Jan. 2026

Danes is a four-time Golden Globe winner who brought her quivering lower lip to bear on the role of an author who thinks her next-door neighbor killed his wife. —Nate Jones, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026

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"