verb A1 Beginner Common

shake

SHAYK

Shake (verb) means to move something rapidly back and forth or up and down. Example: “Shake the bottle well before opening.”

verb

To move something rapidly back and forth or up and down.

"Shake the bottle well before opening."

"The whole building shook during the earthquake."

To move one's head from side to side, usually to say no or express disbelief.

"She shook her head in disbelief at the news."

To upset or emotionally disturb someone.

"The accident really shook him up."

To get rid of or escape from someone or something.

"He finally managed to shake off his cold."

noun

A thick drink made by blending ice cream (or milk) with flavoring.

"She ordered a strawberry shake with her burger."

A shaking movement or tremor.

"There was a slight shake in his voice as he spoke."

How to use shake

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo move rapidly back and forth, or (as a drink) a milkshake.

Common pairings

shake hands shake one's head milk shake shake something off

Word forms

shook past tense, shaked past tense, shooketh past tense, shaken past tense, shooken past tense, shakes plural, Shakes plural, shakes singular

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

_____ the bottle well before opening.

Etymology

From Old English sceacan, going back to a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to shake or escape" — related to "shock".

Origin: Old English

Synonyms

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shudder rattle convulse waggle judder shiver jiggle shag quake tremble vibrate wiggle

Related words

friend rock bob earthquake hum quake hump rattle

Rhymes for shake

ake take make rake wake cake lake sake bake fake jake Dake

See all rhymes for shake →

Frequently asked questions

What does “shake” mean?

The word “shake” means to move something rapidly back and forth or up and down. In plain terms, to move rapidly back and forth, or (as a drink) a milkshake.

How do you pronounce “shake”?

“Shake” is pronounced SHAYK (/ˈʃeɪk/ in IPA).

How do you use “shake” in a sentence?

Here is “shake” used in a sentence: “Shake the bottle well before opening.”

What is another word for “shake”?

Words with a similar meaning to “shake” include jiggle, shag, quake, tremble, vibrate and wiggle.

What part of speech is “shake”?

Depending on how it is used, “shake” can be a verb and a noun.

Where does the word “shake” come from?

The word “shake” comes from Old English. From Old English sceacan, going back to a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to shake or escape" — related to "shock".

Is “shake” a common word?

“Shake” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

How many meanings does “shake” have?

“Shake” has 6 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to move something rapidly back and forth or up and down.

What is the difference between shake and shiver?

Shake is a general verb meaning to move something rapidly back and forth or up and down, and it can apply to objects or people. Shiver specifically means to tremble slightly, usually from cold or fear, and happens to the body involuntarily. You can shake a bottle deliberately, but you shiver without meaning to.

Is shake an irregular verb?

Yes, shake is irregular. Its past tense is "shook" and its past participle is "shaken," as in "she shook the jar" and "it had been shaken." A common mistake is writing "shaked," which is not standard English.

What is the difference between shake and stir?

Shake means to move a container or object rapidly back and forth so its contents mix through motion, often with a lid on. Stir means to move a spoon or utensil through a liquid in a circular motion to blend it. Bartenders, for example, shake some cocktails and stir others.

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