shaken
SHAYKN
Shaken (adjective) means Emotionally disturbed or upset, having lost one's composure. Example: “She was visibly shaken after the near-miss on the motorway.”
adjective
1
Emotionally disturbed or upset, having lost one's composure.
"She was visibly shaken after the near-miss on the motorway."
"The driver looked shaken but unhurt after the lorry skidded."
"He felt too shaken to speak after hearing the bad news."
2
Physically moved rapidly, especially describing a cocktail mixed by agitating with ice.
"He ordered his martini shaken, not stirred."
"The bartender served the drink shaken and strained into a cold glass."
"A shaken cocktail usually looks cloudier than a stirred one."
How to use shaken
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEmotionally rattled, or — for a drink — mixed by shaking rather than stirring.
Common pairings
shaken and stirred
visibly shaken
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like shaken.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Comparative
- more shaken
- Superlative
- most shaken
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She was visibly _____ after the near-miss on the motorway.
Etymology
The past participle of "shake".
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for shaken
See all rhymes for 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.
