WordGarden.iovibrate
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /vaɪbrˈeɪt/
US
- /ˈvaɪbreɪt/
Meanings
Verb
to move or make something move with small rapid repeated motions
of a phone or similar device, to give an alert by shaking instead of ringing
in physics or engineering, to oscillate rapidly at a frequency or transmit vibrations
More meaningsFewer meanings
to be full of intense feeling, energy, or activity
Beyond the definition
Think of your phone on silent: it does not ring, it vibrates. That quick back-and-forth motion is the core meaning of the word. But it is more than just shaking. A guitar string vibrates to create sound, and a room can seem to vibrate with energy during a concert. It can mean to move very quickly back and forth, or to be full of strong energy or feeling. You might hear a voice vibrate with emotion or feel a building vibrate from nearby construction.
To vibrate means to move quickly back and forth, often so rapidly that the motion seems continuous or creates a humming sound. Think of the blur of a bee's wings—that is vibration in action! This can be a mechanical movement, like when your phone buzzes in your pocket or a heavy machine trembles during operation. As an example: "The floor vibrated with the force of the passing train."
But "vibrate" isn't limited to simple shaking. It is fundamental to how we experience the world through sound; instruments vibrate air molecules to create the music we hear. A skilled musician can even feel these vibrations through their body as they play. "The cello strings vibrated, filling the room with rich, deep tones."
Figuratively, "vibrate" suggests a state of high tension, energy, or emotional intensity. "The crowd vibrated with anticipation before the band took the stage" implies that they were almost buzzing with energy. You might hear a voice vibrate with emotion or find a busy city street that vibrates with life. In a more poetic sense, it can mean to respond deeply to a feeling or idea. Whether it is a physical tremor, the birth of a melody, or a powerful emotional stir, "vibrate" captures the sense of something alive with rapid, rhythmic energy.
Examples
- 1
Train passing
When the train passed, the windows began to vibrate.
- 2
Phone alert
His phone vibrated in his pocket during the meeting.
- 3
Phone setting
I keep my phone on vibrate when I'm in class.
- Phraseon vibrate
set to shake instead of ring
- 4
Loud bass
The bass was so loud that the floor vibrated under our feet.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Neighbor noise
The beat from next door vibrated through the walls all night.
- 6
Angry voice
Her voice vibrated with anger as she read the email.
- Patternvibrate with + emotion
show a strong feeling very clearly
- 7
Stadium atmosphere
The whole stadium seemed to vibrate with excitement before the game started.
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- vibrateverb
Forms
- vibrating-ing formverb
- vibratesverb
- vibratedpast tenseverb