tremulous
adjective
trem·u·lous
ˈtrem-yə-ləs 
2
: affected with timidity : timorous
3
: such as is or might be caused by nervousness or shakiness
a tremulous smile
4
: exceedingly sensitive : easily shaken or disordered
tremulously
adverb
tremulousness
noun
Did you know?
Are you shaky on the meaning of tremulous?
Do you suspect that tremulous must be closely related to tremble? If so, you're right. Both of those words derive from the Latin verb tremere, which means "to tremble." Some other English offspring of tremere are tremor, tremendous, temblor (another word for earthquake), and tremolo (a term that describes a vibrating and quavering musical effect that was particularly popular for electric guitars and organs in the 1970s).
Examples of tremulous in a Sentence
She opened the letter with tremulous hands.
He spoke with a tremulous voice.
Recent Examples on the Web
Her big blue eyes are searching, concerned, tremulous and tearful.
—
Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 11 Apr. 2025
The shifting surface of the water has a tremulous glamour.
—Daniel Foster, National Review, 23 Jan. 2025
While her rendition, which peaked at No. 22 in the U.S., was eclipsed by the Stones’ No. 6 cover of the following year, her tremulous voice propelled four 45s into the American top 40.
—Chris Morris, Variety, 30 Jan. 2025
The convention kicked off Monday after a tremulous couple of months in the party after calls for President Joe Biden to step down from the 2024 presidential race, culminating in him walking from the race and backing Vice President Kamala Harris as the democratic nominee.
—Joyce Orlando, The Tennessean, 19 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for tremulous
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Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 11 Apr. 2025
The shifting surface of the water has a tremulous glamour.
—Daniel Foster, National Review, 23 Jan. 2025
While her rendition, which peaked at No. 22 in the U.S., was eclipsed by the Stones’ No. 6 cover of the following year, her tremulous voice propelled four 45s into the American top 40.
—Chris Morris, Variety, 30 Jan. 2025
The convention kicked off Monday after a tremulous couple of months in the party after calls for President Joe Biden to step down from the 2024 presidential race, culminating in him walking from the race and backing Vice President Kamala Harris as the democratic nominee.
—Joyce Orlando, The Tennessean, 19 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for tremulous
Cite this Entry
“Tremulous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tremulous. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tremulous
adjective
trem·u·lous
ˈtrem-yə-ləs
1
: marked by or affected with trembling or tremors
tremulous hands
2
: fearful sense 2, timid
a shy tremulous person
3
: caused by or displaying nervousness or shakiness
a tremulous smile
Medical Definition
tremulous
adjective
trem·u·lous
ˈtrem-yə-ləs
tremulousness
noun
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