vibrate

veye-BRAYT

Vibrate (verb) means to shake with small, rapid back-and-forth movements. Example: “The whole table vibrated when the truck drove past.”

verb

To shake with small, rapid back-and-forth movements.

"The whole table vibrated when the truck drove past."

"Her phone vibrated in her pocket during the meeting."

To resonate or produce a trembling sound.

"The bass made the windows vibrate."

How to use vibrate

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo shake rapidly, or to make something shake.

Common pairings

vibrate constantly phone vibrates set something vibrating

Word forms

more vibrate comparative, vibrated past tense, vibrates singular, most vibrate superlative

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The whole table _____ when the truck drove past.

Etymology

From Latin vibratus, the past participle of vibrare, "to shake or set in tremulous motion."

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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thrill hover tickle resonate oscillate vacillate

Related words

sound throw adventure swing excitement float hesitate thrill

Rhymes for vibrate

ate date rate mate fate abate slate plate state grate create update

See all rhymes for vibrate →

Frequently asked questions

What does “vibrate” mean?

The word “vibrate” means to shake with small, rapid back-and-forth movements. In plain terms, to shake rapidly, or to make something shake.

How do you pronounce “vibrate”?

“Vibrate” is pronounced veye-BRAYT (/ˈvaɪ.bɹeɪt/ in IPA).

How do you use “vibrate” in a sentence?

Here is “vibrate” used in a sentence: “The whole table vibrated when the truck drove past.”

What part of speech is “vibrate”?

“Vibrate” is a verb.

Where does the word “vibrate” come from?

The word “vibrate” comes from Latin. From Latin vibratus, the past participle of vibrare, "to shake or set in tremulous motion.".

How many meanings does “vibrate” have?

“Vibrate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to shake with small, rapid back-and-forth movements.

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