tremble

1 of 2

verb

trem·​ble ˈtrem-bəl How to pronounce tremble (audio)
trembled; trembling ˈtrem-b(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce tremble (audio)

intransitive verb

1
: to shake involuntarily (as with fear or cold) : shiver
2
: to move, sound, pass, or come to pass as if shaken or tremulous
the building trembled from the blast
3
: to be affected with great fear or anxiety
trembled for the safety of her child
trembler noun

tremble

2 of 2

noun

1
: an act or instance of trembling
especially : a fit or spell of involuntary shaking or quivering
2
trembles plural in form but singular in construction : severe poisoning of livestock and especially cattle by a toxic alcohol present in a snakeroot (Ageratina altissima) and rayless goldenrod that is characterized especially by muscular tremors, weakness, and constipation

Examples of tremble in a Sentence

Verb His arms and legs began to tremble. My voice trembled as I began to speak. I opened the letter with trembling hands. The house trembled as the big truck drove by. Noun with a tremble, she ventured out into the snow
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.
Verb
Essential tremor, a neurological disorder that causes involuntary shaking or trembling in certain parts of the body, runs in the Murphy family. Stephanie Stremplewski, The Courier-Journal, 28 Nov. 2024 Tycoon Shocked Lan earlier this month appeared shocked and her voice trembled in court when prosecutors proposed that the death sentence remain. Chloe Berger, Fortune Asia, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
Valeria leaves guard duties to Ellen, a grandmother with a constant tremble in her hands from her MS. James Grebey, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2024 Kaleena knew her fate before it was announced, teary-eyed and emotional as Kish, with a tremble in her voice, asked her and Alisha to pack their knives and go. Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 10 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for tremble 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French trembler, from Medieval Latin tremulare, from Latin tremulus tremulous, from tremere to tremble; akin to Greek tremein to tremble

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1609, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tremble was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near tremble

Cite this Entry

“Tremble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tremble. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

tremble

1 of 2 verb
trem·​ble ˈtrem-bəl How to pronounce tremble (audio)
trembled; trembling -b(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce tremble (audio)
1
: to shake uncontrollably (as with fear or cold) : shiver
2
: to move, sound, or happen as if shaken
the building trembled from the blast
my voice trembled
3
: to have strong fear or doubt
I tremble to think what might happen
trembler noun

tremble

2 of 2 noun
1
: a fit or spell of uncontrollable shaking or quivering
2
: a tremor or series of tremors

More from Merriam-Webster on tremble

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