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Shivering: meaning, definitions and examples

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shivering

 

[ ˈʃɪvərɪŋ ]

Verb / Noun
Context #1 | Verb

feeling cold

To shiver means to shake slightly because you are cold or frightened. It is an involuntary reaction of the body to try to generate heat.

Synonyms

quiver, shake, tremble.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
shivering

Typically used when someone is very cold or frightened.

  • After falling into the icy water, she was shivering uncontrollably.
  • He was shivering with fear as he walked through the haunted house.
tremble

Usually refers to slight movements caused by emotions such as fear, excitement, or anxiety.

  • His voice began to tremble as he spoke to the large audience.
  • The little girl started to tremble when she saw the big, barking dog.
quiver

Often refers to small, fast movements due to emotions like excitement or fear.

  • Her hands began to quiver as she opened the acceptance letter.
  • He felt a quiver of excitement as the roller coaster climbed up the track.
shake

A general term for any rapid movement back and forth. Can be caused by cold, fear, or even laughter.

  • He was shaking from the cold wind.
  • The dog's entire body would shake when it was scared.
  • She started to shake with laughter at the funny joke.

Examples of usage

  • I was shivering in the cold wind.
  • She shivered with fear as she entered the dark room.
Context #2 | Noun

physical reaction

A shivering is a bodily response to cold or fear, characterized by involuntary trembling of the body.

Synonyms

quivering, shaking, trembling.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
shivering

Often used to describe the physical reaction to cold or fear, where the body involuntarily shakes in small, rapid movements.

  • She was shivering from the cold wind as she waited at the bus stop.
  • He started shivering with fear when he heard the strange noises coming from the basement.
trembling

Often used to describe a slight, uncontrollable shaking typically caused by a strong emotion or physical weakness. It can imply nervousness or fear.

  • Her hands were trembling as she gave her speech.
  • The little dog was trembling with fear during the thunderstorm.
quivering

Typically refers to a slight, rapid movement or tremor, often caused by an emotion like excitement or nervousness.

  • Her lips were quivering as she tried to hold back her tears.
  • The cat's tail was quivering with excitement as it watched the birds outside the window.
shaking

A general term for more significant, noticeable movements, often due to fear, cold, or physical exertion. Can also describe the act of moving something up and down or from side to side.

  • He was shaking with anger after hearing the news.
  • The old bridge was shaking under the weight of the heavy truck.

Examples of usage

  • The child's shivering was a sign that he needed a warm blanket.
  • Her shivering increased as the temperature dropped.

Translations

Translations of the word "shivering" in other languages:

🇵🇹 tremendo

🇮🇳 कंपकंपी

🇩🇪 Zittern

🇮🇩 menggigil

🇺🇦 тремтіння

🇵🇱 drżenie

🇯🇵 震え

🇫🇷 frisson

🇪🇸 temblor

🇹🇷 titreme

🇰🇷 떨림

🇸🇦 ارتعاش

🇨🇿 třes

🇸🇰 chvenie

🇨🇳 发抖

🇸🇮 tresenje

🇮🇸 skjálfti

🇰🇿 дірілдеу

🇬🇪 კანკალი

🇦🇿 titrəmə

🇲🇽 temblor

Etymology

The word 'shivering' originated from the Middle English word 'schiveren', which means 'to tremble, shake'. Over time, the meaning evolved to include the specific actions associated with feeling cold or frightened. The concept of shivering has been recognized across various cultures and is a universal response to certain stimuli.

See also: shivery.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,616, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.