Word
shiver
Phoneticsshiv·er, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈʃɪvɝ/
UK/ʃˈɪvɐ/
Definition
v. to shake slightly because you are cold, afraid, or excited. It is a quick movement your body makes that you cannot control.
v. to shake or tremble involuntarily, typically as a physiological response to low temperature or strong emotion. Often used to describe the physical manifestation of fear or anticipation.
Examples
“The cold wind made me shiver.”
“The children began to shiver as they waited for the school bus in the snow.”
“Even under the thick wool blankets, he continued to shiver from the fever that had gripped him since the previous evening.”
Examples
simple
“The cold wind made me shiver.”
contextual
“The children began to shiver as they waited for the school bus in the snow.”
complex
“Even under the thick wool blankets, he continued to shiver from the fever that had gripped him since the previous evening.”
Usage
The verb is intransitive and does not take a direct object.
Etymology
Origin uncertain, perhaps an alteration of chavel, or a frequentive of sheaf.
From a Germanic word, probably present in Old English though unattested, cognate with Old High German scivaro (German Schiefer (“slate”)).
Origin uncertain
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
Idioms
Domains
- 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.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL 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: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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