Tremble Meaning
/ˈtɹɛmbl̩/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo shake, quiver, or vibrate.
verbTo fear; to be afraid.
Sentence Examples
The mere idea of swimming across the river made me tremble.
He began to tremble during the movie.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
Standing in the freezing wind, she began to ____ from the cold.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
His hands began to ____ with excitement as he prepared to open the letter that contained the results of the project today.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English tremblen, from Old French trembler, from Late Latin tremulāre, ultimately from Latin tremere (“quiver, shake”). Cognate with Ancient Greek τρέμω (trémō).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Mr. Cooke at once began a tirade against the residents of Asquith for permitting a sandy and generally disgraceful condition of the roads. So roundly did he vituperate the inn management in particular, and with such a loud flow of words, that I trembled lest he should be heard on the veranda."
— 1897 December (indicated as 1898), Winston Churchill, chapter IV, in The Celebrity: An Episode, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan & Co., Ltd., →OCLC:
"Thou beleeuest that there is one God, thou doest well: the deuils also beleeue, and tremble."
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, James 2:19:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Standing in the freezing wind, she began to ____ from the cold.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
His hands began to ____ with excitement as he prepared to open the letter that contained the results of the project today.