shiver

1 of 4

noun (1)

shiv·​er ˈshi-vər How to pronounce shiver (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce shiver (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Frank Vogel stood outside the Dallas Mavericks’ temporary locker room Wednesday night and recounted the shiver that recently ran down his spine. Dan Woike, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025 Dividend cuts ‘would send shivers through Wall Street’ Clark Williams-Derry, energy finance analyst at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), a non-profit organization, said trimming the share buybacks is likely Big Oil’s easiest option. Sam Meredith, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
Chills are also common as the body generates heat through shivering to reach its new set point. Daryl Austin, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025 When the night of that first show arrives, the vaulted backstage of the Grand Palais, a Beaux Arts wonder on the banks of the Seine, shivers with preparation. Nathan Heller, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shiver

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of shiver was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shiver.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shiver. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

shiver

1 of 4 noun
shiv·​er ˈshiv-ər How to pronounce shiver (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce shiver (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce shiver (audio)
: to undergo trembling : experience rapid involuntary muscular twitching especially in response to cold

shiver

2 of 2 noun
: an instance of shivering

More from Merriam-Webster on shiver

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