Shivering
/ˈʃɪvərɪŋ/
verbnounA2present participle
Definition
Shivering is when your body moves with small, fast shakes. This often happens when you feel very cold, scared, or nervous. It is your body's way to try to warm up or react to strong feelings.
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See It in Action
To shake quickly because of cold or fear (verb)
- •She was shivering after walking in the rain without a jacket.
- •The little boy started shivering when he saw the scary movie.
- •I felt myself shivering as the cold wind blew through the window.
The act or state of shaking quickly (noun)
- •His shivering was clear proof he was very cold.
- •There was a shivering in her hands when she tried to hold the cup.
- •The shivering lasted until he found a warm place.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "shivering" like "shaking," but smaller and faster—your whole body or parts of it move quickly without you wanting to.
- ✓Picture someone outside in winter without a warm coat, their teeth chattering and their body trembling.
- ✓It's the feeling you get when you are very cold or when you feel scared suddenly, like before a surprise.
- ✓Sounds like "SHIV-er-ing" → imagine a small "shiv" (sharp sound) causing tiny quick shakes all over your body.
- ✓Remember scenes in movies where a character is cold on a snowy mountain and you see them shivering.
- ✓NOT like "tremble" (which can be slower or from strong emotion), shivering is usually faster and caused by cold or fear.
- ✓NOT like "shaking" (which can be big or caused by many things), shivering is small, quick, and often from cold or nerves.
- ✓NOT like "quiver" (which is more gentle or soft), shivering is stronger and more noticeable.
Try Other Words
- •Trembling: shaking slightly because of fear or cold (Use when the shaking is slower or caused by strong emotions)
- •Quivering: shaking gently or softly (Use when the shaking is light and less intense)
- •Shaking: moving back and forth or up and down (Use for general movements, not only from cold or fear)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: root "shiver" + suffix "-ing" (shows ongoing action or state)
- •Etymology: "shiver" comes from Old English "scifrian," meaning to break or split, later used for shaking movements
- •Historical development: The word has been used since the 1200s to describe shaking because of cold or fear
- •Modern usage: Commonly used to describe body movements due to cold, fear, or excitement, both as verb and noun
Reflect & Connect
•When have you felt shivering because of cold or fear? How did your body react?
•Can shivering ever be a good or helpful reaction? Why or why not?
Fill in the blanks
1.People start shivering when their body temperature ___ too low because of cold weather.
2.She was shivering with ___ before her big presentation in front of the class.
3.Shivering is different from shaking because it is usually ___ and caused by cold or fear.
4.After running outside in the snow, he felt shivering ___ his whole body.
5.The doctor said that shivering helps the body to ___ heat and stay warm.
6.When someone is shivering, they often ___ their arms or wrap themselves in a blanket.
7.Shivering can sometimes happen when a person feels ___ or very nervous about something.