Word
quake
US/ˈkweɪk/
UK/kwˈeɪk/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a sudden shaking of the ground. It is a shorter, more casual way to say earthquake.
n. a sudden and violent shaking of the ground, typically resulting from movements within the earth's crust or volcanic action. Often used as a clipped form of 'earthquake' in journalistic or informal contexts.
Examples
“The small quake rattled the windows but caused no damage.”
“Geologists warned that the minor quake could be a precursor to a much larger seismic event.”
“While the initial quake lasted only seconds, the subsequent structural assessments revealed deep fissures in the foundation that rendered the historic library unsafe for public use.”
Examples
simple
“The small quake rattled the windows but caused no damage.”
contextual
“Geologists warned that the minor quake could be a precursor to a much larger seismic event.”
complex
“While the initial quake lasted only seconds, the subsequent structural assessments revealed deep fissures in the foundation that rendered the historic library unsafe for public use.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “quake” in context.
Usage
Commonly used in news headlines to save space; often paired with modifiers like 'minor', 'major', or 'aftershock'.
Real-World Examples
“Venezuela and Japan both experienced major quakes this summer.” “The quake was felt across much of Flores island.” Etymology
From Middle English quaken, from Old English cwacian (“to quake, tremble, chatter”), from Proto-Germanic *kwakōną (“to shake, quiver, tremble”), itself likely of imitative origin. Related to Old English cweċċan (“to shake, swing, move, vibrate, shake off, give up”) (see quitch), Dutch kwakkelen (“to ail, be ailing”), German Quackelei (“chattering”), Danish kvakle (“to bungle”), Latin vexō (“toss, shake violently, jostle, vex”), Irish bogadh (“a move, movement, shift, change”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
Idioms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/quake