Trembling: meaning, definitions and examples

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trembling

 

[หˆtrษ›mbษ™lษชล‹ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

feeling

To shake involuntarily, typically as a result of anxiety, excitement, or weakness.

Synonyms

quivering, shaking, shuddering.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
trembling

Used when someone or something is shaking slightly due to cold, fear, or excitement.

  • She was trembling with excitement as she opened the gift
shaking

Refers to a more noticeable motion from side to side, typically due to emotions, physical exertion, or external forces.

  • He was shaking all over after the marathon
quivering

Describes a slight, rapid motion often due to nervousness, fear, or intense emotion.

  • His lip was quivering as he tried to hold back his tears
shuddering

Implies an involuntary reaction, often due to disgust, fear, or intense emotion, and is usually more abrupt.

  • She shuddered at the thought of the haunted house

Examples of usage

  • She was trembling with fear before the big presentation.
  • His hands were trembling as he opened the envelope.
Context #2 | Noun

medical

An involuntary shaking movement.

Synonyms

quivering, shaking, tremor.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
trembling

Often used to describe a person or an animal who is very afraid, cold, or emotional.

  • She was trembling with fear
  • The dog was trembling in the cold
shaking

Can describe a broader range of movements, often more intense or violent, due to fear, cold, or physical exertion.

  • He was shaking with anger
  • My hands were shaking after the workout
tremor

Typically refers to involuntary shaking movements caused by medical conditions, such as Parkinsonโ€™s disease, or ground shaking during an earthquake.

  • He experienced a mild tremor in his hands
  • The tremor from the earthquake was felt across the city
quivering

Usually describes a slight, rapid motion often related to strong emotions such as excitement or nervousness.

  • His lip was quivering as he tried to hold back tears
  • The leaves were quivering in the breeze

Examples of usage

  • The patient experienced trembling in his hands due to the medication side effects.
  • The trembling of her voice revealed her nervousness.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Old English 'tremel', meaning to shake or vibrate.
  • Itโ€™s related to the Latin word 'tremere', which also means to tremble or shake.
  • Historically, the term has been used to describe not only physical shaking but also emotional turmoil.

Science

  • Trembling can be a physiological response caused by adrenaline, typically seen when someone is scared or nervous.
  • In physics, vibrations can be equated to tremors or trembles of different materials, such as in earthquakes.
  • Tremors have been studied in the context of neurological disorders, revealing much about how the human body reacts under stress.

Psychology

  • Trembling is often connected to anxiety disorders, where individuals may experience uncontrollable shaking.
  • The body's fight-or-flight response can trigger trembling as a natural reaction to perceived threats.
  • Understanding why we tremble can help in therapeutic settings to address issues of fear and anxiety.

Art and Literature

  • Trembling is a popular motif in poetry, often symbolizing vulnerability or emotional conflict.
  • Famous literary works often use trembling characters to express deep feelings, adding depth to narratives.
  • Visual artists depict trembling through movement and distortion, conveying emotion in their pieces.

Pop Culture

  • In movies, a character's trembling can signify intense fear or suspense, heightening tension for the audience.
  • Musical compositions often use trembling notes to evoke feelings of fear or anticipation.
  • Many horror films showcase trembling as a dramatic device to portray vulnerability of characters.

Translations

Translations of the word "trembling" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น tremor

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค•เค‚เคชเคจ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Zittern

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ gemetar

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ั‚ั€ะตะผั‚ั–ะฝะฝั

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ drลผenie

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ้œ‡ใˆ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท tremblement

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ temblor

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท titreme

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋–จ๋ฆผ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุงุฑุชุฌุงู

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ tล™es

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ tras

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ้ขคๆŠ–

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ tresenje

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ skjรกlfti

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะดั–ั€ั–ะปะดะตัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ™แƒแƒœแƒ™แƒแƒšแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ titrษ™mษ™

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ temblor

Word Frequency Rank

At #7,159 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.