shimmy

1 of 2

noun

shim·​my ˈshi-mē 

plural shimmies

1

[by alteration] : chemise

2

[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

shimmy

2 of 2

verb

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

Examples of shimmy in a Sentence

Verb

They were shimmying on the dance floor.

I shimmied into my jacket.

One of the car's wheels was shimmying.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Rashford’s smooth shimmy, going inside this time, bamboozled his opponent, who had to pull him down, earning a booking. — Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

In an interview, Farrell said the first shimmy went away after the bus’ front tires were replaced, and the bus was safe to operate after the tires were replaced. — Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 16 Aug. 2026

Verb

From Carol Burnett to Cher, Tina Turner, Lola Falana, Diana Ross and Elton John, one had to embody a particular level of confidence to saunter and shimmy across the stage and red carpet in one of his iconic, over-the-top beaded concoctions. — Tonya Blazio-Licorish, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2026

Crisp shirting seen at Tommy Hilfiger that appears to be thrown on backward, as if frantically shimmied into after oversleeping. — Alison Syrett Cleary, InStyle, 16 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1837, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1919, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for shimmy

• gimme
• jimmy
• synonymy