quavery
Definition
Adjective: - Trembling or quivering in sound: "quavery" describes a voice, tone, or sound that is unsteady, shaking, or wavering, often due to nervousness, age, or emotion. - Example: Her voice was quavery with fear as she spoke.
Usage Examples
- (His laughter was weak and trembling.)
- (Her whisper was unsteady and shaking.)
- (Her notes were quivering and unstable.)
Advanced Usage
- "a quavey old voice": a common collocation describing a voice typical of elderly people.
- The grandmother told her story in a quavery old voice that captivated the children. (Her voice was weak and trembling with age.)
Variants and Related Words
Quaver (verb): to shake or tremble in speaking or singing.
- His voice quavered as he delivered the sad news. (His voice trembled.)
Quaver (noun): a trembling or shaking sound, especially in speech or music.
- There was a slight quaver in her speech. (A trembling quality.)
Quaveringly (adverb): in a quavering manner.
- He spoke quaveringly, barely holding back tears. (With a trembling voice.)
Synonyms
- Trembly: shaking or quivering.
- Wobbly: unsteady, often used for voice.
- Shaky: lacking steadiness, especially in sound.
Related Idioms
- A quavery note: a metaphorical expression for an uncertain or hesitant element in a situation.
- There was a quavery note in his apology that made it seem insincere. (A hint of uncertainty or weakness.)