shake

verb \ ˈshāk \

|Updated on: 13 Jun 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

The players hugged each other in joy and shook each other in disbelief.

— author: rick maese, Anchorage Daily News, "Capitals, and Washington, celebrate a Stanley Cup victory decades in the making," 8 June 2018
There are a lot of ways to read Nancy’s hesitation, and Riseborough quietly, maddeningly suggests each one of them in turn, each time forcing us to reconsider the urge to shake her out of her stupor.

— justin chang, latimes.com, "Andrea Riseborough brings complexity to an emotional void in the melancholic 'Nancy'," 7 June 2018
Romero stuck out his hand and Kennedy stopped to shake it.

— russell contreras, The Seattle Times, "Busboy who held dying RFK speaks of lingering pain," 2 June 2018
The politicians may have done the markets a service, by shaking them out of complacency.

— The Economist, "Italy’s political crisis is roiling financial markets once more," 31 May 2018
Standing on second base, Jonathan Villar had a bird's-eye view of the battle, and could only shake his head and laugh.

— tom haudricourt, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Everything going Brewers' way these days as they hit Memorial Day will full head of steam," 28 May 2018
After taking the helm of the People’s Party, a center-right pillar of post-World War II Austrian politics, a year ago, Mr. Kurz shook it up with a tough anti-immigration line and simple, bare-bones political language.

— bojan pancevski, WSJ, "Austrian Leader’s Blueprint for Europe’s Establishment: Move to the Right," 25 May 2018
But the Parkland, Florida, school shooting in February shook him.

— maxine bernstein, OregonLive.com, "Thurston 20 years later: 'The sad thing is, once affected, always affected'," 20 May 2018
That morning, Ben said, the sergeant had tried to shake him down.

— jennifer gonnerman, The New Yorker, "How One Woman’s Fight to Save Her Family Helped Lead to a Mass Exoneration," 19 May 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

The seat tilts, shakes, and rolls to essentially track the movement of the camera from shot to shot.

— tasha robinson, The Verge, "Ari Aster’s breakout horror hit Hereditary is pants-wettingly scary," 8 June 2018
Kelly’s shop offers shaved ice, ice cream flights, sundaes, shakes, floats and more.

— cassie armstrong, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Chocolate Ice Cream Day: How to observe in Central Florida," 7 June 2018
Add half the tequila, lime juice, orange-flavored liqueur and sugar and shake.

— alysha witwicki, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "How to have big fun with mini-appetizers and mini-cocktails," 2 June 2018
To make the cocktail, combine all ingredients, add ice, shake and strain into a Nick & Nora glass.

— natalie b. compton, GQ, "Four New Ways to Drink Your Tequila This Spring," 23 May 2018
Kardashian West frequently promotes products from Flat Tummy’s line, including teas and meal-replacement shakes.

— julie mazziotta, PEOPLE.com, "Kim Kardashian West Slammed for Promoting Appetite-Suppressing Lollipops," 16 May 2018
Lenny’s Burgers This retro-style burger shop has been serving cheeseburgers, hot dogs, chili fries and shakes in the Valley for more than 30 years.

— jennifer mcclellan, azcentral, "31 new restaurants opened in Phoenix in April, chains and independents," 1 May 2018
Add all ingredients in a pint glass with ice, shake and strain into the Nadarita Glass.

— polly campbell, Cincinnati.com, "Make or buy a half-price Nadarita for National Margarita Day," 21 Feb. 2018
Cook Out is a fast food chain featuring fresh burgers, BBQ, hot dogs and shakes.

— kathy jumper, AL.com, "Luxury apartments to be built near OWA," 18 Feb. 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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