Word
shudder
Phoneticsshud·der, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈʃədɝ/
UK/ʃˈʌdɐ/
Definitions
01to shake from emotion or cold
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to shake for a moment because you feel cold, afraid, or disgusted.
v. to tremble or shiver involuntarily, typically as a physiological response to fear, cold, or a strong sense of aversion.
“She shuddered at the thought of having to walk home alone in the dark.”
“He shuddered involuntarily as the icy wind cut through his thin jacket, regretting his decision to leave his coat in the car.”
02to vibrate strongly
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to shake or vibrate violently and unevenly, like a machine or a building.
v. to vibrate or shake with sudden, jerky force; often used to describe mechanical or structural instability.
“The old bus shuddered to a halt at the red light.”
“The entire building shuddered when the heavy machinery in the basement was activated for the first time.”
03a shaking movement
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a sudden shaking movement of your body or a machine.
n. a brief, convulsive tremor of the body or a sudden mechanical vibration.
Español:escalofrío
“A cold shudder went down his spine when he heard the strange noise.”
“The aircraft gave a violent shudder as it passed through the pocket of severe turbulence, alarming the passengers.”
Usage
The verb is intransitive and often followed by the preposition 'at' when describing a mental reaction to an idea.
Pitfall
The cold made me to shudder.
The cold made me shudder.
After the verb 'make' (in the sense of causing an action), use the bare infinitive without 'to'.
Real-World Examples
“It was what happened in between times against Galatasaray and Copenhagen that still causes a few shudders.” Etymology
From Middle English schoderen, from Middle Dutch schudderen and/or Middle Low German schodderen, iterative forms of the verb at hand in Dutch schudden, Low German schüdden (both “to shake”), German schütten (“to pour”), from Proto-Germanic skudjaną, from Proto-Indo-European skewdʰ-. From Low German are also borrowed German schaudern (“to shudder”), Danish skudre.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/shudder
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0