shaken
5 synonyms for shaken, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Emotionally disturbed or upset, having lost one's composure.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use shaken
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
shaken and stirred
visibly shaken
Etymology
The past participle of "shake".
Full origin of shaken →Frequently asked questions
What does “shaken” mean?
The word “shaken” means emotionally disturbed or upset, having lost one's composure. In plain terms, emotionally rattled, or — for a drink — mixed by shaking rather than stirring.
How do you pronounce “shaken”?
“Shaken” is pronounced SHAYKN (/ˈʃeɪkən/ in IPA).
How do you use “shaken” in a sentence?
Here is “shaken” used in a sentence: “She was visibly shaken after the near-miss on the motorway.”
What part of speech is “shaken”?
“Shaken” is an adjective.
Is “shaken” a common word?
“Shaken” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “shaken” have?
“Shaken” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: emotionally disturbed or upset, having lost one's composure.
What is the difference between shaken and stirred?
Shaken describes a drink, such as a cocktail, that has been mixed by rapid agitation with ice, while stirred describes gentle mixing without agitation. The two methods can produce noticeably different textures and dilution in a cocktail.
Can shaken describe a person's emotional state?
Yes. Shaken is commonly used to describe someone who is emotionally disturbed or upset and has lost their composure, often after a frightening or distressing event, separate from its physical, cocktail-related sense.
What is the difference between shaken and shattered when describing emotions?
Shaken suggests someone has lost their composure and is visibly upset, but it implies a state that can recover. Shattered is a stronger term suggesting a more complete emotional breakdown.
