shimmy

noun shim·my \ ˈshi-mē \

Updated on: 8 Apr 2018

Definition of shimmy

plural shimmies

[by alteration]

: chemise

[short for shimmy-shake]

: a jazz dance characterized by a shaking of the body from the shoulders down

3 : an abnormal vibration especially in the front wheels of a motor vehicle

Recent Examples of shimmy from the Web

Each actor builds a character through a sashaying walk or shoulder shimmy or a graceful twirl or a commanding presence.

— toby zinman, Philly.com, "'Crowns' at McCarter Theatre in Princeton: A celebration of church hats, rhythm, dancing, and history," 19 Mar. 2018
Rather, her choreography is often constructed of shrugs, shimmies and quivers topped off with the offhand roll of a shoulder.

— david lyman, Cincinnati.com, "Review: 'Waitress' is big-hearted, grown-up, oddball, like real life," 10 Jan. 2018
That tape, full of Newton’s trademark bullet passes and tackle-shaking shimmies, cemented his future in Carolina.

— jourdan rodrigue, charlotteobserver, "Hurney-Rivera bond brought Cam Newton to Panthers. What it brings now can be bigger. | Charlotte Observer," 9 Mar. 2018
There was also a delightful pair of short boots on which the heel was covered with free-hanging chain mail that appeared to shimmy and dance with each step.

— adam tschorn, latimes.com, "Paris Fashion Week goes to the prairie at Chloé and Isabel Marant," 2 Mar. 2018
So now Hayes is opting for eager to please, with arm sways and shimmies, loads of high-fives for fans up front and direct eye contact with folks in the balcony.

— piet levy, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Kelsea Ballerini celebrates 4th No. 1 single, and getting over the flu, at Milwaukee show," 23 Feb. 2018
With the Targa’s roof panel stowed, rough roads send a minor shimmy through the body.

— steve siler, Car and Driver, "2017 Porsche 911 Targa 4 GTS PDK Automatic," 16 Feb. 2018
The crowd erupted in applause and eagerly copied Derulo's moves, which included plenty of suggestive pelvic thrusts, shoulder shrugs and playful shimmies.

— nicole pajer, Billboard, "Jason Derulo Surprises Zumba Class to Teach 'Tip Toe' Dance Moves," 18 Jan. 2018
After stretching, the ladies try out some chest shimmies and neck rolls.

— mariah smith, The Cut, "The Last Kardashian Episode of the Year Had One Incredible Scene," 18 Dec. 2017

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

First Known Use of shimmy

1837

Other Dance Terms

attitude, honor, saltatory, sashay, taw

shimmy

verb

Definition of shimmy

shimmied; shimmying

intransitive verb

1 : to shake, quiver, or tremble in or as if in dancing a shimmy

2 : to vibrate abnormally —used especially of automobiles

3 : shinny

See shimmy defined for English-language learners

Examples of shimmy in a Sentence

They were shimmying on the dance floor.
I shimmied into my jacket.
One of the car's wheels was shimmying.

Recent Examples of shimmy from the Web

Standing before a cocktail percussion kit, Sheila E. sang and drummed through the chorus as her rhythm section hopped and shimmied around her.

— zane warman, Billboard, "Best American Music Awards Performances No. 3: Sheila E. Lights Up 'The Glamorous Life' at the 1985 AMAs," 15 Nov. 2017
The Weeknd even shimmied as Belly previewed his thus-untitled upcoming trap poetic, capping a triumphant first-impression set for the rapper, with a potentially potent upcoming single.

— bianca alysse, Billboard, "Belly Dominates Hot 97 Who's Next Performance in NYC With The Weeknd & Jadakiss as Surprise Guests," 15 Nov. 2017
Hayes earns laughs from longtime director James Burrows, shimmying through the doorway to Grace’s office and admiring himself in the shine of a stethoscope.

— andrea mandell, USA TODAY, "'Will & Grace' is back: A decade later, what's changed?," 27 Sep. 2017
Proctor shimmied under a fence and hid behind a tour bus in the parking lot.

— greg toppo, USA TODAY, "'This can't be happening': The fateful 11 minutes of the Las Vegas mass shooting," 4 Oct. 2017
The camera operator will shimmy over close to them.

— ann friedman, Glamour, "Jill Soloway on Identifying as Gender Nonbinary: 'It Feels Like a Relief to Me'," 14 Sep. 2017
One great trick: a cat shimmies up what looks like a seven-foot-tall scratching post, only to leap over to a rope attached to a pulley.

— dan nosowitz, Cosmopolitan, "This Woman Wants Every Cat to Be a Circus Cat," 12 Sep. 2017
Swift unabashedly shimmied, shook, and swayed to live performances from Kanye West, Sam Smith, Ed Sheeran, and Madonna.

— lauren valenti, Marie Claire, "10 GIFs of Taylor Swift Dancing Awkwardly with Famous People," 26 Feb. 2015
Making their first red-carpet appearance since the birth of their twins, Rumi and Sir Carter, the couple were all smiles and shimmied together near the right side of stage past midnight.

— paul chi, Vanities, "Inside Rihanna’s Diamond Ball, Where Beyoncé and Jay-Z Danced to Calvin Harris and Barack Obama Sent His Regards," 15 Sep. 2017

First Known Use of shimmy

1919

Other Dance Terms

attitude, honor, saltatory, sashay, taw

SHIMMY Defined for English Language Learners

shimmy

verb

Definition of shimmy for English Language Learners

: to move or shake your body from side to side
: to vibrate or move very quickly from side to side

SHIMMY Defined for Kids

shimmy

verb shim·my \ ˈshi-mē \

Definition of shimmy for Students

shimmied; shimmying

: to move the body from side to side

I shimmied into my jacket.

Learn More about shimmy

See words that rhyme with shimmy Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about shimmy

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shimmy

Definition of shimmy

Recent Examples of shimmy from the Web

First Known Use of shimmy

Other Dance Terms

shimmy

Definition of shimmy

Examples of shimmy in a Sentence

Recent Examples of shimmy from the Web

First Known Use of shimmy

Other Dance Terms

SHIMMY Defined for English Language Learners

shimmy

Definition of shimmy for English Language Learners

SHIMMY Defined for Kids

shimmy

Definition of shimmy for Students

Learn More about shimmy

Seen and Heard

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