tremble - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
tremble Word Meanings
- to shake with fear, cold, or strong emotion
- to feel anxious or uncertain; to tremble when speaking
- a small involuntary shake or quiver
tremble Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
tremble Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈtrɛmbəl/
US
/ˈtrɛmbl/
tremble Word Etymology
Root decomposition: trem- + -ble with no prefix. Historical origin: Latin tremere 'to tremble' → Old French trembler 'to tremble' → English tremble. Memory image: picture a leaf quivering in the wind and a voice that shakes as someone speaks.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
To tremble means to shake, often from fear, cold, or strong emotion, and it can describe both body movements and the voice. You might tremble when you step onto a stage, hear bad news, or stand in a chilly wind. It can also describe a small involuntary quiver, for example a hand that trembles as you hold a cup. The verb carries a sense of vulnerability and uncertainty, and it is often used with phrases like tremble with fear or tremble with cold. A clear memory image is a leaf quivering in the wind and a voice that shakes as someone speaks.
Usage Reminders
- Use tremble for shaking caused by fear, cold, or strong emotion.
- Pair tremble with phrases like tremble with fear or tremble with cold.
- Note that tremble can describe a small involuntary shake as well as a vocal tremor.
- Distinguish tremble from shiver which is more about cold; tremble also covers emotion.
- Past tense form is trembled, not tremble, in ordinary narration.
Common Misconceptions
- Tremble means fear only; it can also describe cold and other strong emotions.
- Tremble and shiver are always interchangeable.
- Tremble is only for people; objects cannot tremble.
- Trettible uses past tense incorrectly; trembled is the past form.
- Tremble is the same as tremor; tremor is the noun.
Thinking Differences
For English speakers, tremble often covers both body shaking and voice quality, with clear collocations like tremble with fear. Learners may overgeneralize to shiver for all cold contexts or misapply tremble to nonhuman subjects.
Learning Tips
- Learn core collocations: tremble with fear, tremble with cold, tremble at the thought.
- Practice both body and voice tremors in sentences.
- Remember the past form trembled for narration.
- Differentiate from shiver by focusing on emotion and context.
- Use recordings to hear subtle differences in pronunciation.
- Create minimal pairs with similar verbs (quiver, shake) to build intuition.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What does the word 'tremble' mean?
A.To carry heavy objects
B.To swim in the ocean
C.To shake involuntarily
D.To climb mountains
Step 2: Usage
In which sentence is 'tremble' used correctly?
A.The earthquake made the building tremble.
B.I tremble the book on the table.
C.She laughs at the joke and tremble with joy.
D.He sings in the shower and tremble his voice.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is a synonym of 'tremble'?
A.Laugh
B.Sturdy
C.Dance
D.Shiver
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'tremble'?
A.Soothe
B.Calm
C.Quake
D.Stabilize
Step 5: Mastery
In what situation would someone tremble?
A.Sleeping peacefully
B.Running a marathon
C.Baking cookies
D.Being caught in a thunderstorm
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