tremor

noun

trem·​or ˈtre-mər 

1

a

: a trembling or shaking usually from physical weakness, emotional stress, or disease

b

: nervous excitement

2

: a quivering or vibratory motion

especially : a discrete small movement following or preceding a major seismic event

tremors being felt days after the earthquake

3

a

: a feeling of uncertainty or insecurity

a tremor of hesitation

b

: a cause of such a feeling

Synonyms of tremor

• quake
• earthquake

Examples of tremor in a Sentence

Small tremors were still being felt several days after the earthquake.

I heard a tremor in her voice.

His tremors were caused by the disease.

Recent Examples on the Web

Weak shaking was observed, with reports from cities such as La Quinta and Indio indicating that the tremor was felt, according to the USGS DYFI report. —Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 20 Jan. 2026

Advertisement None of this seems to be registering at the White House, where an emboldened Trump is basking in the success of a mission that captured Venezuela’s autocratic leader and ferried him to New York, plus the tremors over his threats to seize Greenland, and looming conflict with Iran. —Philip Elliott, Time, 15 Jan. 2026

People with Parkinson’s disease often experience motor issues, such as tremors, trouble with balance, and slowed movement. —Freda Kreier, Hartford Courant, 14 Jan. 2026

The tremors from Old Trafford also rustled the papers on the desk of Napoli’s sporting director Giovanni Manna. —James Horncastle, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English tremour, from Anglo-French tremor, from Latin, from tremere

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for tremor

• emmer
• condemnor

Kids Definition

tremor

noun

trem·​or ˈtrem-ər 

1

: a trembling or shaking usually caused by weakness or disease

2

: a quivering or vibrating motion

especially : a small movement of the earth before or after an earthquake

Medical Definition

tremor

noun

trem·​or ˈtrem-ər 

: a trembling or shaking usually from physical weakness, emotional stress, or disease

tremors of the hands