shudder

/'ʃʌdə/

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Word: Shudder

Part of Speech: Verb and Noun

Definition:

• As a verb: To "shudder" means to shake or tremble, usually because you feel fear, cold, or strong emotion.
• As a noun: A "shudder" is the act of shaking or trembling, often caused by fear or an unpleasant feeling.

Usage Instructions:

• Verb Usage: You can use "shudder" when describing someone's reaction to something scary or uncomfortable. It’s often followed by "at" when talking about what caused the reaction.
• Noun Usage: When using "shudder" as a noun, you can describe the experience of shaking as a reaction to fear or disgust.

Examples:

• Verb: "She shuddered when she heard the loud thunder."
• Noun: "A shudder ran through him when he saw the dark figure in the hallway."

Advanced Usage:

• Figurative Sense: "Shudder" can also be used to express a strong emotional reaction to something unpleasant, even if it’s not a physical reaction.
  • Example: "He felt a shudder of worry when he realized he had lost his keys."

Word Variants:

• Shuddering (adjective): Describing something that causes shuddering or is characterized by shaking.
  • Example: "The shuddering sound of the old train made everyone feel uneasy."
• Shuddered (past tense): The past form of the verb.
  • Example: "She shuddered at the thought of the scary movie."

Different Meanings:

• "Shudder" primarily relates to physical shaking but can also describe emotional responses, such as dread or excitement.

Synonyms:

• Tremble
• Shake
• Quiver
• Shiver
• Quake

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• Shudder with fear: To shake because of fear.
  • Example: "He shuddered with fear when he heard the ghost story."
• Not a shudder of doubt: This phrase means that someone is completely sure about something, without any fear or uncertainty.

Academic

Noun

1. an involuntary vibration (as if from illness or fear)
2. an almost pleasurable sensation of fright
   • a frisson of surprise shot through him

Verb

1. tremble convulsively, as from fear or excitement
2. shake, as from cold
   • The children are shivering--turn on the heat!

Synonyms

• tremor
• frisson
• shiver
• chill
• quiver
• thrill
• tingle
• throb