Shake: meaning, definitions and examples

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shake

 

[ ʃeɪk ]

Verb / Noun
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Verb

hand movement

To move quickly up and down or from side to side in short, quick movements.

Synonyms

jiggle, quiver, tremble, vibrate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
shake

General term for making quick short movements back and forth. Can be used for both objects and emotions.

  • She had to shake the bottle to mix the juice
  • His hands began to shake with nerves
quiver

Suggests a slight, trembling movement, often due to emotion such as fear or excitement. Usually associated with living beings.

  • Her lip started to quiver as she held back tears
  • The rabbit quivered at the sound of the hunter's steps
tremble

Implies a more intense, often visible shaking caused by strong emotion or cold. Often has a connotation of fear or weakness.

  • He began to tremble uncontrollably in the icy wind
  • She trembled with fear when she heard the noise
jiggle

Implies a small, rapid, and more erratic motion. Typically used for minor, playful, or inconsequential movements.

  • The baby likes to jiggle the keys
  • The jello will jiggle if you poke it
vibrate

Refers to a steady, continuous movement back and forth, commonly used for machinery or electronics.

  • The phone started to vibrate on the table
  • The engine began to vibrate as it started

Examples of usage

  • He shook his head in disbelief.
  • The earthquake shook the entire city.
  • She shook the bottle before opening it.
Context #2 | Noun

drink

A cold, sweet, frothy drink made of milk, flavoring, and sometimes ice cream, shaken together.

Synonyms

frappe, milkshake, smoothie.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
shake

This can refer to a general blended drink or a flavored drink made by mixing milk, ice cream, and often additional ingredients.

  • I ordered a strawberry shake at the diner.
  • Could you please make me a shake with some protein powder?
milkshake

A traditional word for a cold, creamy drink made from milk, ice cream, and flavorings. It's often associated with American diners.

  • Vanilla is my favorite kind of milkshake.
  • Let's grab a milkshake after the movie.
smoothie

A thick, blended beverage usually made from fruits, vegetables, and other ingredients like yogurt, milk, or protein powder. It is often considered a healthier option.

  • I start my morning with a green smoothie.
  • The café offers a variety of fresh smoothies.
frappe

Typically used in New England (USA) to refer to a milkshake, often a thicker version. It can also refer to a chilled coffee drink in some regions.

  • I'd like a chocolate frappe, please.
  • Do you have any caramel frappes available?

Examples of usage

  • I ordered a strawberry shake at the diner.
  • She loves to have a chocolate shake after dinner.

Translations

Translations of the word "shake" in other languages:

🇵🇹 sacudir

🇮🇳 हिलाना

🇩🇪 schütteln

🇮🇩 mengguncang

🇺🇦 трясти

🇵🇱 potrząsać

🇯🇵 揺れる (yureru)

🇫🇷 secouer

🇪🇸 sacudir

🇹🇷 sallamak

🇰🇷 흔들다 (heundeulda)

🇸🇦 يهز (yahuz)

🇨🇿 třást

🇸🇰 triasť

🇨🇳 摇动 (yáodòng)

🇸🇮 tresenje

🇮🇸 hrista

🇰🇿 сілкілеу

🇬🇪 გადაქნევა (gadakneva)

🇦🇿 sallamaq

🇲🇽 sacudir

Etymology

The word 'shake' originated from Old English 'sceacan', which means 'move something quickly to and fro'. Over time, the word evolved to its current form with various meanings. In the 17th century, 'shake' was also used to describe a kind of drink. Today, 'shake' is commonly used to describe both a physical movement and a type of beverage.

See also: shakedown, shaker, shakes, shakily, shakiness, shaking, shakingly, shaky, unshakeable.

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,493 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.