shake

verb \ ˈshāk \

|Updated on: 8 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: shake in a Sentence

Definition of shake

shook play \ˈshu̇k\; shaken play \ˈshā-kən\; shaking

intransitive verb

1 : to move irregularly to and fro

2 : to vibrate especially as the result of a blow or shock

3 : to tremble as a result of physical or emotional disturbance

shook with fear

4 : to experience a state of instability : totter

5 : to briskly move something to and fro or up and down especially in order to mix

6 : to clasp hands

7 : ²trill

transitive verb

1 : to brandish, wave, or flourish often in a threatening manner

protesters shaking their fists

2 : to cause to move to and fro, up and down, or from side to side especially in a repetitive, rhythmic, or quick jerky manner

shook his head in disapproval

3 : to cause to quake, quiver, or tremble

4 a : to free oneself from

shake a habit

shake off a cold

b : to get away from : get rid of

can you shake your friend? I want to talk to you alone
—Elmer Davis

5 : to lessen the stability of : weaken

shake one's faith

6 : to bring to a specified condition by or as if by repeated quick jerky movements

shook himself loose from the man's grasp

7 : to dislodge or eject by quick jerky movements of the support or container

shook the dust from the cloth

8 : to clasp (hands) in greeting or farewell or as a sign of goodwill or agreement

9 : to stir the feelings of : upset, agitate

shook her up

10 : ²trill

—

shakable

or shakeable play \ˈshā-kə-bəl\ adjective

— shake a leg

1 : dance

2 : to hurry up

— shake a stick at

: to form a conception of (as by counting or imagining) : conceive —usually used in the phrase more than one can shake a stick at

See shake defined for English-language learners

See shake defined for kids

Examples of shake in a Sentence

The ground shook during the earthquake.
The house shook as the train rumbled by.
The earthquake shook the ground.
Shake the salad dressing well before using it.
I was so nervous that I was shaking like a leaf.
The fugitive couldn't shake the police.
It's hard to shake the feeling that I'm forgetting something.
The news did nothing to shake my belief that things will be okay.
Nothing could shake his faith in God.

Recent Examples of shake from the Web

Now, two of your favorite Disney Channel stars leave Instagram shook with a single pic.

— stacey grant, Seventeen, "Marnie and Kal from "Halloweentown" Are Apparently a Couple," 12 July 2018
This refreshing — and syrup- and dairy-free! — drink features vanilla bean powder and coconut milk shaken with ice and topped with shots of our Signature espresso.

— blake bakkila, Health.com, "Starbucks Just Released a Dairy-Free Drink—But That Doesn’t Mean It’s Healthy," 10 July 2018
Three years ago, a devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake shook Nepal, leaving nearly 9,000 people dead and ravaging the country’s infrastructure.

— alex hutchinson, Outside Online, "The Devastating Aftermath of an Avalanche on Everest," 6 July 2018
Moments after the court released the ruling, McConnell’s campaign tweeted a picture of him shaking hands with Gorsuch.

— greg stohr, Bloomberg.com, "On Trump, Supreme Court Is as Divided as the Rest of the Nation," 27 June 2018
But Garrett shook his head, denying any such thing.

— paul theroux, Smithsonian, "The Epic Quest to Ride the World’s Biggest Wave," 27 June 2018
In April, Los Angeles’s Eric Garcetti traveled around Des Moines for two days, shaking hands with Democratic activists at a dive bar, rubbing shoulders with firefighters and union members, and attending an LGBTQ gala.

— alex shephard, The New Republic, "Why Democrats should take mayors seriously as presidential candidates," 22 June 2018
Loyer politely agrees, signing the back of the jersey and shaking the man's hand.

— george stoia, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan State: Foster Loyer looks like he may help, even at Moneyball," 11 July 2018
Up in the corporate seats, French President Emmanuel Macron reacted to the goal by shaking the hand of King Philippe of Belgium as FIFA president Gianni Infantino watched on between them.

— samuel chamberlain, Fox News, "France edges Belgium to reach World Cup final," 11 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'shake.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of shake

Middle English, from Old English sceacan; akin to Old Norse skaka to shake

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

shake Synonyms

Phrases

fight shy of, keep clear of, stay clear of, steer clear of;

Synonym Discussion of shake

shake, agitate, rock, convulse mean to move up and down or to and fro with some violence. shake often carries a further implication of a particular purpose.

- shake well before using

agitate suggests a violent and prolonged tossing or stirring.

- an ocean agitated by storms

rock suggests a swinging or swaying motion resulting from violent impact or upheaval.

- the whole city was rocked by the explosion

convulse suggests a violent pulling or wrenching as of a body in a paroxysm.

- spectators were convulsed with laughter

shake

noun

Definition of shake

1 : an act of shaking: such as

a : an act of shaking hands

b : an act of shaking oneself

2 a : a blow or shock that upsets the equilibrium or disturbs the balance of something

b : earthquake

3 shakes plural

a : a condition of trembling or nervousness; specifically : delirium tremens

b : malaria 2a

4 : something produced by shaking: such as

a : a fissure separating annual rings of growth in timber

b (1) : milkshake

(2) : a beverage resembling a milkshake

a protein shake

5 : a wavering, quivering, or alternating motion caused by a blow or shock

6 : trill

7 : a very brief period of time

I'll be there in two shakes

8 shakes plural : one that is exceptional especially in importance, ability, or merit —usually used in the phrase no great shakes

9 : a shingle split from a piece of log usually three or four feet (about one meter) long

10 : ³deal 3

a fair shake

See shake defined for English-language learners

Examples of shake in a Sentence

He responded to the question with a shake of his head.
Give the dice a shake.
He drank too much coffee and got a bad case of the shakes.

Recent Examples of shake from the Web

Staff shake-ups, meanwhile, have left Mattis with fewer close allies.

— missy ryan, greg jaffe, Anchorage Daily News, "At summit, Mattis faces uphill battle," 10 July 2018
More: Big changes brewing for Cowboys' offense after offseason shake-ups More: Dak Prescott willing to be flexible with Cowboys on next contract More: Ranking NFL backup QBs by team: Who has best contingency plan?

— michael middlehurst-schwartz, USA TODAY, "Cowboys training camp questions: Who steps up at receiver for Dak Prescott?," 12 July 2018
What was Scott's role in either the company's decline or the shake-up of executives at his top investment?

— mary ellen klas, miamiherald, "Rick Scott and family made $550M in one transaction. How 'blind' is his blind trust?," 11 July 2018
Staff shake-ups, meanwhile, have left Mattis with fewer close allies.

— missy ryan, greg jaffe, Anchorage Daily News, "At summit, Mattis faces uphill battle," 10 July 2018
Staff shake-ups, meanwhile, have left Mattis with fewer close allies.

— missy ryan and greg jaffe, Washington Post, "Trump’s combative words on NATO put Mattis in an increasingly tough spot," 9 July 2018
Arsenal's new manager Unai Emery has overseen a dramatic shake-up behind the scenes of the club as the Spaniard looks to implement his own style and philosophy at the Emirates.

— SI.com, "Unai Emery Makes 'Drastic Changes' to Arsenal Regime and Training Methods," 8 July 2018
The Supreme Court shake-up represents the culmination of a comprehensive overhaul of Poland's justice system that gives the ruling party new powers over the courts.

— vanessa gera, Fox News, "Poles protest the forced retirements of judges under new law," 4 July 2018
The Supreme Court shake-up represents the culmination of a comprehensive overhaul of Poland's justice system that gives the ruling party new powers over the courts.

— NBC News, "Poland's government forces Supreme Court judges to retire early," 4 July 2018

First Known Use of shake

1581

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

shake Synonyms

Synonyms

butterflies, dither, heebie-jeebies, jitters, nerves, shivers, willies;

Near Antonyms

aplomb, calm, composure, equanimity, imperturbability, self-possession, tranquillity (or tranquility);

agitation, anxiety, fear, hysteria, uneasiness;

frazzle, nervous breakdown;

edginess, jumpiness, skittishness;

SHAKE Defined for English Language Learners

shake

verb

Definition of shake for English Language Learners

: to move sometimes violently back and forth or up and down with short, quick movements
: to move or have parts of your body move in short, quick movements and in a way that you are not able to control
: to free yourself from (someone or something) : to get away from or get rid of (someone or something)

shake

noun

Definition of shake for English Language Learners

: a short, quick movement back and forth or up and down
the shakes : a condition in which parts of your body move in a way that you are not able to control

SHAKE Defined for Kids

shake

verb \ ˈshāk \

Definition of shake for Students

shook \ˈshu̇k\; shaken \ˈshā-kən\; shaking

1 : to make or cause to make quick movements back and forth or up and down

The ground shook.

Squirrels shook the branches.

2 : to tremble or make tremble : quiver

She was so frightened her legs began to shake.

3 : to move from side to side

I shook my head.

4 : to grasp and move up and down

After reaching an agreement, they shook hands.

5 : to get away from

She ran faster, but couldn't shake the dog.

6 : to make less firm : weaken

After being beaten badly their confidence was shaken.

7 : to cause to be, become, go, or move by or as if by using a quick back and forth motion

We can shake apples from the tree.

shake

noun

Definition of shake for Students

: a quick back and forth or up and down movement

Learn More about shake

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for shake Spanish Central: Translation of shake Nglish: Translation of shake for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of shake for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about shake

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shake

Definition of shake

shakable

Examples of shake in a Sentence

Recent Examples of shake from the Web

Origin and Etymology of shake

shake Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Phrases

Synonym Discussion of shake

shake

Definition of shake

Examples of shake in a Sentence

Recent Examples of shake from the Web

First Known Use of shake

shake Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Phrases Related to SHAKE

Related Phrases

SHAKE Defined for English Language Learners

shake

Definition of shake for English Language Learners

shake

Definition of shake for English Language Learners

SHAKE Defined for Kids

shake

Definition of shake for Students

shake

Definition of shake for Students

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