shiver

1 of 4

noun (1)

shiv·​er ˈshi-vər 

: one of the small pieces into which a brittle thing is broken by sudden violence

shiver

2 of 4

verb (1)

shivered; shivering ˈshi-və-riŋ 

ˈshiv-riŋ

transitive + intransitive

: to break into many small pieces : shatter

shiver

3 of 4

verb (2)

shivered; shivering

intransitive verb

1

: to undergo trembling : quiver

2

: to tremble in the wind as it strikes first one and then the other side (of a sail)

transitive verb

: to cause (a sail) to shiver by steering close to the wind

shiver

4 of 4

noun (2)

1

: an instance of shivering : tremble

2

: an intense shivery sensation especially of fear

—often used in plural with the

horror movies give him the shivers

3

: a hard blow (as with a forearm) especially to the head or neck

Synonyms

Noun (2)

• shudder
• tremble

Examples of shiver in a Sentence

Noun (2)

the prisoner experienced a sudden shiver when confronted with the sight of the dark basement

looking down from the window ledge sent shivers up my spine

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Alongside the radiant climaxes, the chorus achieves spells of shivering inwardness. —Alex Ross, New Yorker, 23 June 2025

Shakespeare has Lear ask his shivering Fool, freshly aware thanks to his ordeal on the heath—a kind of exposure therapy—of the physical vulnerability of his subjects. —Andrew Kay, Harpers Magazine, 28 May 2025

Noun

The females’ eggs, fertilized by the males’ shivers, will hatch over the next few months. —Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 5 Feb. 2025

Merely the thought of any potential Chinese aggression in Taiwan sends shivers down the spines of industry, market, and government officials, and an outright attack would put the worldwide economy in a tailspin. —Karl Freund, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English; akin to Old High German scivaro splinter

Verb (2)

Middle English, alteration of chiveren

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun (2)

1727, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing shiver

• a chill/shiver runs up/down someone's spine
• make a chill/shiver run up/down someone's spine
• send a chill/shiver up/down someone's spine

Rhymes for shiver

• giver
• liver
• livre
• quiver
• river
• sliver
• caregiver
• deliver
• downriver
• lawgiver
• upriver

Kids Definition

shiver

1 of 4 noun

shiv·​er ˈshiv-ər 

: one of the small pieces into which a brittle thing is broken by great force

shiver

2 of 4 verb

shivered; shivering ˈshiv-(ə-)riŋ 

: to break into many small pieces : shatter

shiver

3 of 4 verb

shivered; shivering

ˈshiv-(ə-)riŋ

: to shake involuntarily (as from cold or fear)

shiver

4 of 4 noun

1

: an instance of shivering

2

: a thrill of emotion and especially of fear

—usually used in plural with the

a ghost story that would give you the shivers

Etymology

Noun

Middle English shiver "a small piece of something that is broken"

Verb

Middle English shiveren, an altered form of chiveren "to tremble, shiver"

Medical Definition

shiver

1 of 2 intransitive verb

shiv·​er ˈshiv-ər 

: to undergo trembling : experience rapid involuntary muscular twitching especially in response to cold

shiver

2 of 2 noun

: an instance of shivering