# vibrate

/ˈvaɪbɹeɪt/ (US) · /vaɪbɹˈeɪt/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. to shake quickly

verb · CEFR B1

to move back and forth very quickly with small movements.

For teachers: to move rhythmically and rapidly to and fro; to oscillate.

- The floor began to vibrate as the heavy train passed by the house.
- The engine began to vibrate at high speeds, suggesting a mechanical imbalance that required immediate inspection by a technician.

### 2. to produce sound

verb · CEFR B2

to make a sound by shaking, like a guitar string or your voice.

For teachers: to produce a sound through rapid oscillation; to resonate.

- The low notes of the organ made the whole church vibrate.
- The singer's vocal cords vibrate to produce a fundamental frequency, which is then shaped by the resonators of the mouth and throat.

### 3. phone setting

noun · CEFR B1

the setting on a phone that makes it shake instead of making a noise.

For teachers: the haptic alert mode on a portable electronic device.

- I kept my phone on vibrate during the movie so I wouldn't disturb anyone.
- The executive switched her device to vibrate before the board meeting to ensure she remained aware of urgent notifications without interrupting the presentation.

Usage: Usually used with the preposition 'on'.

### 4. to use vibrato

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

to slightly change the pitch of a note while singing or playing an instrument.

For teachers: to employ vibrato in musical performance.

- The violinist began to vibrate the long note to give it more emotion.
- The soprano was instructed to vibrate less on the early baroque pieces to maintain historical stylistic accuracy.

## Examples

- My phone started to vibrate on the table.
- The heavy bass from the concert speakers caused the windows of the nearby shops to vibrate.
- Engineers must ensure that the bridge does not vibrate at its natural frequency, as this could lead to structural failure during high winds.

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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.