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

Locally, Margaret is known for announcing hailstorms with a sexy shimmy. —Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026

The future shotstopper was out the door and sprinting in giddy celebration up a street near Bloemfontein before the players had even begun their shimmy. —Jack Bantock, CNN Money, 9 June 2026

Verb

Brunson extended an arm, trying to shimmy away. —Fred Katz, New York Times, 10 June 2026

The eight-level tower drew an appreciative applause from the pope after the smallest child reached the top, waved and then quickly shimmied down. —Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 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