1
: a case for carrying or holding arrows
2
: the arrows in a quiver
quivered; quivering
ˈkwi-və-riŋ 
ˈkwiv-riŋ
: to shake or move with a slight trembling motion
quiveringly
adverb
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
Natalie Meade, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
Three decades from my last episode sometimes a faint quiver in my cheek snaps me back to that distant physicality—a child unable to manage her own estate that quaked.
—Literary Hub, 15 May 2026
Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 26 May 2026
Johnston plays poor Bear as a quivering mess wracked with guilt that this monster — who used to be his friend — is the result of his own terrible decision-making.
—Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for quiver
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Noun
Shaggy was holding a squishy ball between his knees and pumping his arms up and down, making his whole body quiver.
—Natalie Meade, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
Three decades from my last episode sometimes a faint quiver in my cheek snaps me back to that distant physicality—a child unable to manage her own estate that quaked.
—Literary Hub, 15 May 2026
Verb
Located on the street level of the Harbor Boulevard complex, the new shop gives dessert-loving denizens another place to pick up the quivering treat.
—Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 26 May 2026
Johnston plays poor Bear as a quivering mess wracked with guilt that this monster — who used to be his friend — is the result of his own terrible decision-making.
—Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for quiver
Cite this Entry
“Quiver.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quiver. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
quiver
1 of 3 noun
quiv·er
ˈkwiv-ər
1
: a case for carrying arrows
2
: the arrows in a quiver
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"
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