# tremble

/ˈtɹɛmbəɫ/ (US) · /tɹˈɛmbəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tremble
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 2. to vibrate or shake slightly

verb · CEFR B2

when an object or the ground shakes slightly.

For teachers: to experience a slight vibratory motion; often used of structures or the earth in response to external force.

- The windows tremble every time a heavy truck drives past the house.
- The ground began to tremble slightly just seconds before the main shock of the earthquake was felt across the city.

### 3. to be very worried

verb · CEFR C1 · Literary

to feel very worried or afraid about something that might happen.

For teachers: to feel great fear or anxiety regarding a future event or consequence; often used in the phrase 'tremble at the thought'.

- I tremble to think what would have happened if we hadn't arrived in time.
- Many citizens tremble at the prospect of further economic instability following the recent collapse of the national bank.

### 4. a shaking movement

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

a slight shaking movement of your body or an object.

For teachers: a fit or state of shaking; a tremor or quiver.

- There was a slight tremble in her voice when she spoke about the accident.
- A sudden tremble in the floorboards alerted the residents that the heavy machinery next door had been activated.

## Examples

- Her hands began to tremble as she opened the letter.
- The small dog started to tremble when it heard the loud thunder during the storm.
- Even the most experienced public speakers may find their voices begin to tremble slightly when addressing an audience of thousands for the first time.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.