Shimmy Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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shimmy

[ˈʃɪmi ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

dance

A dance move in which the body is shifted from side to side rapidly, typically with the shoulders and hips moving in opposite directions.

Synonyms

jiggle, shake, wiggle.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
shimmy	Shimmy is often used to describe a dance move or a vibration. It's a playful or fun way to talk about shaking or vibrating, typically side-to-side. She did a little shimmy on the dance floor The car started to shimmy when it reached high speed
shake	Shake generally refers to moving up and down, back and forth, or side to side with more force and can apply to various contexts, from shaking a bottle to shaking hands. He shook the bottle before opening it They shook hands to finalize the deal
wiggle	Wiggle refers to short, quick, and often repeated movements. It often describes playful or gentle motions, usually side-to-side or back and forth. The puppy wiggled its tail excitedly She wiggled her way through the crowd
jiggle	Jiggle is used to describe small, quick, and often continuous movements. It can refer to objects or parts of the body that move slightly back and forth or up and down. The baby's belly button jiggled as he laughed Jiggle the doorknob to make sure it's locked

Examples of usage

She did a shimmy across the dance floor.
The shimmy is a popular move in salsa dancing.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

movement

To shake or wiggle rapidly from side to side.

Synonyms

jiggle, shake, wriggle.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
shimmy	Informal contexts, often describing a rhythmic or smooth movement, typically used in dancing or playful settings. She did a little shimmy on the dance floor The puppy's tail had a shimmy of excitement
shake	More general term that can be used in various situations, from casual to formal, describing back-and-forth or up-and-down movements. Often implies more forceful or noticeable movement. He shook the bottle before opening it She was so cold that she began to shake
jiggle	Describes quick, small, and somewhat erratic movements; often used for playful or casual contexts and when referring to objects or body parts shaking slightly. The jelly jiggled on the plate She jiggled the handle to see if the door was locked
wriggle	Describes twisting or squirming movements, often implying an attempt to get free or show discomfort; usually used with small animals, children, or when someone is trying to escape from a tight spot. The worm wriggled on the ground She wriggled out of her tight jeans

Examples of usage

She shimmyed her way out of the tight spot.
He shimmyed up the tree to reach the fruit.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'shimmy'

The word 'shimmy' originated in African-American slang in the early 20th century. It is believed to have derived from the word 'shiver' or 'shimmer', indicating a quick, shaking movement. The shimmy dance move became popular in the 1920s during the Jazz Age and has since been a staple in various dance styles.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #34,849 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

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34851 agonizingly
34852 garnishing
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