Word
tremble
Phoneticstrem·ble, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈtɹɛmbəɫ/
UK/tɹˈɛmbəl/
Definitions
01to shake (body)
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to shake slightly and uncontrollably because you are cold, afraid, or nervous.
v. to shake involuntarily, typically as a result of anxiety, fear, cold, or physical weakness.
“Her hands began to tremble as she opened the important letter.”
“The witness began to tremble visibly under the pressure of the cross-examination, struggling to maintain his composure.”
Usage
Intransitive; does not take a direct object.
Antonyms
02to vibrate (objects)
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to shake or vibrate slightly.
v. to experience a slight, rapid, and continuous vibratory motion.
“The ground started to tremble as the heavy train passed by.”
“The old wooden floorboards would tremble slightly whenever the heavy machinery in the basement was activated.”
Usage
Often used with 'with' to describe the cause of the vibration.
03a shaking movement
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Literary
n. a slight shaking movement of your body or an object.
n. a fit or state of shaking; a slight, rapid, vibratory motion.
“There was a slight tremble in his voice when he spoke about his home.”
“A sudden tremble in the earth alerted the residents to the possibility of a minor seismic event.”
Real-World Examples
“I – ” Her voice trembles and her eyes fill with tears.” Etymology
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.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
Idioms
01. tremble and obey
- 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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