WordGarden.ioshiver
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /ʃˈɪvə/
US
- /ˈʃɪvər/
Meanings
Verb
to shake slightly because you are cold, frightened, or excited
to tremble or vibrate with small quick movements
Noun
a brief involuntary shaking movement or chilly tremor
a sudden feeling of fear, excitement, or anticipation
Beyond the definition
To shiver is to shake slightly in a way you cannot control, most often because you are cold. Imagine being caught in a sudden rainstorm or standing outside on a windy day. But it is not only about temperature. People can also shiver with fear, excitement, or disgust. A spooky story might send a cold feeling down your spine, and a beautiful song might make you feel a sudden thrill. It is usually a small, quick movement that passes through the body. Think about a little dog out in the cold, shaking until it is brought inside. Or imagine reading a creepy part of a book and feeling that reaction even though the room is warm.
A shiver is an involuntary, rhythmic trembling or shaking of the body. It's most commonly associated with feeling cold—your muscles contract and relax rapidly to generate heat when your core temperature drops. This is why you might shiver on a chilly day, after swimming in cold water, or even while recovering from a fever. "A cold wind made her shiver as she waited for the bus."
However, shivering isn't always about temperature. It can also be triggered by strong emotions like fear, excitement, or revulsion. A sudden scare might send shivers down your spine, and witnessing something beautiful or awe-inspiring could make you shiver with delight. This emotional shiver is thought to be linked to the release of adrenaline and other hormones that affect your nervous system. "The haunting melody sent shivers through the audience."
The word "shiver" itself evokes a sense of vulnerability and sensitivity, suggesting a physical response to something powerful or unsettling. It can also be used figuratively to describe a slight vibration or tremor in nature—like "the leaves shivered in the breeze." So, whether it's a reaction to cold, fear, beauty, or simply a gentle wind, shivering is a primal, involuntary response that connects our physical bodies to our emotional states.
Examples
- 1
Cold reaction
I was still wet from the rain and starting to shiver.
- 2
Nervous reaction
She shivered as the doctor opened the door.
- 3
Fearful thought
Just thinking about that dark road at night makes me shiver.
- 4
Crowd fear
A shiver ran through the crowd when the lights suddenly went out.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Small movement
He gave a little shiver and pulled his coat tighter around him.
- 6
Emotional reaction
That song always sends a shiver down my spine.
- Phrasesend a shiver down someone's spine
make them feel a sudden strong emotion, often fear or excitement
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- shivernounverb
Forms
- shivering-ing formverbnoun
- shiverspluralnounverb
- shiveredpast tenseverbnoun