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trembling
/ˈtrɛmblɪŋ/
shaking from fear or cold
Her voice was trembling as she delivered the bad news.
She spoke in a shaky voice because she was nervous or afraid.
neutral
Shaking slightly and uncontrollably, usually from fear, excitement, cold, or weakness.
The child's hands were trembling with excitement before the rollercoaster ride.
The child's hands shook uncontrollably because they were very excited.
His voice was trembling as he tried to explain what happened.
He spoke in a shaky voice because he was nervous or upset.
Often describes involuntary physical shaking, but can also metaphorically describe a voice or body language that conveys strong emotion.
Collocations
trembling with fearshaking because of being afraidtrembling voicea voice that shakes due to emotiontrembling handshands that shake uncontrollably
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoid confusion with 'tremor'
'Trembling' usually refers to visible shaking of the body or limbs, while 'tremor' is often a medical term for a rhythmic shaking, especially in conditions like Parkinson's disease.
Gold Rule
Use 'trembling' for emotional or physical reactions
Reserve 'trembling' for situations involving strong emotions (fear, excitement) or physical reactions (cold, weakness). Do not use it to describe steady or controlled movements.
Word Origin
From Middle English 'tremblen' (to tremble), from Old French 'trembler', from Latin 'tremulare' (to tremble), frequentative of 'tremere' (to shake). Related to 'tremor' and 'tremble'.
Usage Notes
Describes a temporary physical state rather than a chronic condition. Often used in emotional or stressful contexts, but can also describe physical reactions to cold or fatigue.
Word Breakdown
trembl-
root meaning 'to shake' or 'to tremble'
root-ing
suffix forming present participle or adjective
suffixEnglish Dictionary