shake
SHAYK
Shake (verb) means to move something rapidly back and forth or up and down. Example: “Please shake the juice carton before you pour it into the glasses.”
verb
1
To move something rapidly back and forth or up and down.
"Please shake the juice carton before you pour it into the glasses."
"Shake the bottle well before opening."
"The whole building shook during the earthquake."
2
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."
3
To upset or emotionally disturb someone.
"It shakes me to think how close we came to missing the last train."
"The accident really shook him up."
4
To get rid of or escape from someone or something.
"He finally managed to shake off his cold."
"Try as he might, he could not shake the feeling that he'd forgotten something."
"The runner tried to shake off her rival in the final lap."
noun
1
A thick drink made by blending ice cream (or milk) with flavoring.
"She ordered a strawberry shake with her burger."
"Would you like a banana shake or a vanilla one?"
"The cafe makes a thick chocolate shake with real milk."
2
A shaking movement or tremor.
"There was a slight shake in his voice as he spoke."
"With a quick shake of the hand, they agreed on the deal."
"She felt a faint shake under her feet as the lorry passed."
How to use shake
Learner’s notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- shakes
- Third person singular
- shakes
- Past tense
- shook, shaked, shooketh, shaken, shooken
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Please _____ the juice carton before you pour it into the glasses.
Etymology
From Old English sceacan, going back to a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to shake or escape" — related to "shock".
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for shake
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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