tremble
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.when an object or the ground shakes slightly.
v.to experience a slight vibratory motion; often used of structures or the earth in response to external force.
Simple“The windows tremble every time a heavy truck drives past the house.”
In context“The ground began to tremble slightly just seconds before the main shock of the earthquake was felt across the city.”
- 02 C1 Advanced
v.to feel very worried or afraid about something that might happen.
v.to feel great fear or anxiety regarding a future event or consequence; often used in the phrase 'tremble at the thought'.
Simple“I tremble to think what would have happened if we hadn't arrived in time.”
In context“Many citizens tremble at the prospect of further economic instability following the recent collapse of the national bank.”
- 03 C1 Advanced
n.a slight shaking movement of your body or an object.
n.a fit or state of shaking; a tremor or quiver.
Simple“There was a slight tremble in her voice when she spoke about the accident.”
In context“A sudden tremble in the floorboards alerted the residents that the heavy machinery next door had been activated.”
From Middle English tremblen, from Old French trembler, from Late Latin tremulāre, ultimately from Latin tremere (“quiver, shake”). Cognate with Ancient Greek τρέμω (trémō).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.