verb
shudder
SHUH-duh
Shudder (verb) means to shake briefly, usually from fear, cold, or disgust. Example: “She shuddered at the thought of spiders in the room.”
verb
1
To shake briefly, usually from fear, cold, or disgust.
"She shuddered at the thought of spiders in the room."
"He shuddered as the cold wind hit him."
noun
1
A brief trembling caused by fear, cold, or disgust.
"A shudder ran through the crowd as the news broke."
"A shudder of excitement passed through her."
How to use shudder
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA quick, involuntary shiver, usually triggered by fear, cold, or something unpleasant.
Common pairings
shudder with fear
a shudder ran through
shudder to think
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Word forms
- Plural
- shudders
- Third person singular
- shudders
- Past tense
- shuddered
Fill the gap
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She _____ at the thought of spiders in the room.
Etymology
From Middle English schoderen, related to Dutch and German words meaning "to shake."
Related words
Rhymes for shudder
See all rhymes for shudder →Frequently asked questions
What does “shudder” mean?
The word “shudder” means to shake briefly, usually from fear, cold, or disgust. In plain terms, a quick, involuntary shiver, usually triggered by fear, cold, or something unpleasant.
How do you pronounce “shudder”?
“Shudder” is pronounced SHUH-duh (/ˈʃʌdəː/ in IPA).
How do you use “shudder” in a sentence?
Here is “shudder” used in a sentence: “She shuddered at the thought of spiders in the room.”
What part of speech is “shudder”?
Depending on how it is used, “shudder” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “shudder” come from?
The word “shudder” comes from Middle English. From Middle English schoderen, related to Dutch and German words meaning "to shake.".
How many meanings does “shudder” have?
“Shudder” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to shake briefly, usually from fear, cold, or disgust.
