tremble

To tremble is to shake without meaning to, usually because of fear, cold, excitement, or weakness. Imagine a frightened puppy: its whole body trembles. It can be a physical reaction, like your knees trembling before a big speech, or something larger, like the ground trembling during an earthquake. Strong feelings can cause it too, so a person might tremble with delight, shock, or anticipation after hearing important news.

To tremble means to shake or quiver, usually because the body or voice is reacting to something strong. The movement is often small and quick, and it usually happens without choice. Your hands may tremble when you are nervous, your body may tremble from the cold, and your voice may tremble when you are upset or close to tears. The word often suggests fear, weakness, excitement, or deep emotion.

The word is not only used for people. A leaf can tremble in the wind, a window can tremble when heavy trucks pass, and the ground can tremble during an earthquake. In stories, people tremble before danger, after a shock, or while waiting for something important to happen. Someone might tremble with anger, with joy, or with relief after a hard moment has passed.

It can also be used in a more figurative way. If someone trembles at the thought of something, they feel very afraid or deeply uneasy about it. Whether it comes from cold, fear, excitement, illness, or emotion, to tremble is to shake in a way that shows the body or mind is strongly affected.