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Definition of tremble verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

tremble

verb
 
/ˈtrembl/
 
/ˈtrembl/
Verb Forms
present simple I / you / we / they tremble
 
/ˈtrembl/
 
/ˈtrembl/
he / she / it trembles
 
/ˈtremblz/
 
/ˈtremblz/
past simple trembled
 
/ˈtrembld/
 
/ˈtrembld/
past participle trembled
 
/ˈtrembld/
 
/ˈtrembld/
-ing form trembling
 
/ˈtremblɪŋ/
 
/ˈtremblɪŋ/
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  1. [intransitive] tremble (with something) to shake in a way that you cannot control, especially because you are very nervous, excited, frightened, etc.
    • My legs were trembling with fear.
    • Her voice trembled with excitement.
    • He opened the letter with trembling hands.
    Extra Examples
    • I began to tremble uncontrollably.
    • She was trembling with anger.
    Topics Feelingsc1
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • badly
    • violently
    • uncontrollably
    verb + tremble
    • begin to
    • start to
    • make somebody
    preposition
    • at
    • in
    • with
    phrases
    • tremble all over
    • tremble from head to foot
    • tremble from head to toe
    See full entry
  2. [intransitive] to shake slightly synonym quiver
    • leaves trembling in the breeze
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • badly
    • violently
    • uncontrollably
    verb + tremble
    • begin to
    • start to
    • make somebody
    preposition
    • at
    • in
    • with
    phrases
    • tremble all over
    • tremble from head to foot
    • tremble from head to toe
    See full entry
  3. [intransitive] to be very worried or frightened
    • I trembled at the thought of having to make a speech.
    • The thought made him tremble inside.
    Topics Feelingsc1
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • badly
    • violently
    • uncontrollably
    verb + tremble
    • begin to
    • start to
    • make somebody
    preposition
    • at
    • in
    • with
    phrases
    • tremble all over
    • tremble from head to foot
    • tremble from head to toe
    See full entry
  4. Word OriginMiddle English (as a verb): from Old French trembler, from medieval Latin tremulare, from Latin tremulus, from tremere ‘tremble’.
See tremble in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

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