Find English Teachers
Alina
Meaning of two words
What difference between shiver and tremble?
Apr 18, 2014 6:12 AM
Corrections · 6
Meaning of two words
What is/are the differences between shiver and tremble?
<em>Shiver usually refers to the human reflex - the rapid contraction of muscles designed to fight cold</em>
<em>Tremble can refer to weakness or disability, or to leaves in the wind, or to earth(quake); it also refers to danger or fear, and can refer to human reaction.</em>
<em>Tremble is more likely to be used as a verb than a noun, whereas shiver can be either, equally.</em>
April 18, 2014
You lose all the formatting and the line breaks when you make comments. I talki should fix this
April 18, 2014
From Google dictionary:
Interestingly, when you look up "shiver," "tremble" is given as a synonym, but not vice versa.
shiv·er
verb
1. (of a person or animal) shake slightly and uncontrollably as a result of being cold, frightened, or excited.
"they shivered in the damp foggy cold"
synonyms: tremble, quiver, shake, shudder, quaver, quake
noun: shiver; plural noun: shivers
1. a momentary trembling movement.
"she gave a little shiver as the wind flicked at her bare arms"
trem·ble
ˈ
verb
1. shake involuntarily, typically as a result of anxiety, excitement, or frailty.
"Isobel was trembling with excitement"
synonyms: shake, shake like a leaf, quiver, twitch, jerk;
2. be in a state of extreme apprehension.
"I tremble to think that we could ever return to conditions like these"
synonyms: be afraid, be frightened, be apprehensive, worry, shake in one's boots; More
(of a person's voice) sound unsteady or hesitant.
3. shake or quiver slightly.
"the earth trembled beneath their feet"
synonyms: shake, shudder, quake, wobble, rock, vibrate, move, sway, totter, teeter;
noun
noun: tremble; plural noun: trembles; plural noun: the trembles
1. a trembling feeling, movement, or sound.
"there was a slight tremble in his voice"
synonyms: tremor, shake, shakiness, trembling, quiver, quaking, twitch, vibration, unsteadiness More
antonyms: steadiness
2. informal
a physical or emotional condition marked by trembling.
April 18, 2014
They are very similar, but when talking about people, shiver is often associated with shaking from being cold and tremble is often associated with shaking out of fear.
April 18, 2014
Both same meaning..
April 18, 2014
Want to progress faster?
Join this learning community and try out free exercises!
Alina
Language Skills
English, French, Russian
Learning Language
French
Articles You May Also Like

How to Read and Understand a Business Contract in English
4 likes · 0 Comments

6 Ways italki Can Help You Succeed in Your School Language Classes
8 likes · 6 Comments

The Power of Storytelling in Business Communication
46 likes · 13 Comments
More articles