shiver
gb/ʃˈɪvɚ/ us/ʃˈɪvɚ/
A2
English
~ 1300
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
action
1
Shake slightly from cold or fear
To shake a little because you are cold, scared, or excited.
Usage pattern:
to shiver with [emotion/cause]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'shiver' with 'shake' in contexts where 'shake' means to move something back and forth intentionally.
Synonyms
tremble (Often used more broadly for shaking from weakness or emotion, not just cold.)
|
shake (A more general term that can describe larger or more forceful movement.)
Antonyms
be still (Describes the absence of any movement or trembling.)
Collocations
shiver with cold
|shiver with fear
|make someone shiver
|cold wind shiver
|start to shiver
Themes
daily life
|emotions
|health
|body
|weather
Examples
- She began to shiver as the temperature dropped.
- I shivered with fear when I heard the strange noise.
- The cold wind made him shiver uncontrollably.
- He shivered at the thought of what might happen next.
- Even under the blanket, she continued to shiver.
Learner examples
- I shiver when it is very cold.
- He shivered because he was afraid.
- She shivered in the snow.
- The dog shivered outside.
- I started to shiver in the wind.
Noun
B1
event
2
Small shaking from cold or fear
A small shake of the body because of cold, fear, or excitement.
Usage pattern:
a shiver of [emotion/cause]
Synonyms
tremor (Slightly more formal and can refer to medical conditions or earthquakes.)
Antonyms
stillness (The absence of any movement or trembling.)
Collocations
a shiver ran down my spine
|a sudden shiver
|feel a shiver
|send a shiver
|give someone a shiver
Themes
daily life
|emotions
|health
|body
|weather
Examples
- A sudden shiver ran through her body.
- He felt a shiver of excitement before the show began.
- The story sent a shiver down my spine.
- Cold air brought a shiver to everyone in the room.
- She gave an involuntary shiver when she heard his voice.
Learner examples
- I felt a shiver when I was cold.
- A shiver ran down my back.
- He had a shiver when he heard the noise.
- The movie gave me a shiver.
- She had a small shiver in the wind.
Verb
C1
action
3
Break into small sharp pieces
To break into many small sharp pieces quickly.
Usage pattern:
to shiver into [pieces/fragments]
Synonyms
shatter (More common and often implies loudness and violence in breaking.)
Antonyms
remain whole (To stay unbroken and intact.)
Collocations
shiver into pieces
|shiver into fragments
Themes
physics
|objects
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The glass shivered into tiny pieces on the floor.
- The ice shivered under his feet.
- The plate slipped and shivered against the tile.
- The thin sheet of metal shivered when struck.
Learner examples
- The glass shivered when it fell.
- Ice can shiver under weight.
- The plate shivered on the ground.
- The cup shivered into pieces.
Grammar
Dictionary form
shiver
IPA
GB/ʃˈɪvɚ/
US/ʃˈɪvɚ/
Syllables & stress
shiver (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (shiver)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: shiver
- Plural: shivers
Verb
- Base: shiver
- 3rd Person Singular: shivers
- Present Participle: shivering
- Past: shivered
Word family
Expressions
a shiver runs down (someone's) spine
1/ə ʃˈɪvɚ ɹˈʌnz dˈaʊn sˈʌmwˌʌnz spˈaɪn/
idiom
Feel sudden fear or excitement
To suddenly feel fear or excitement in your body, especially along your back.
Examples
- A shiver ran down my spine when I heard the scream.
- Her voice sent a shiver down his spine.
give (someone) the shivers
1/ɡˈɪv sˈʌmwˌʌn ðə ʃˈɪvɚz/
idiom
informal
Cause nervousness or fear
To make someone feel nervous or afraid.
Examples
- That abandoned house gives me the shivers.
- His strange smile gave her the shivers.
send a shiver down (someone's) spine
1/sˈɛnd ə ʃˈɪvɚ dˈaʊn sˈʌmwˌʌnz spˈaɪn/
idiom
Cause sudden fear or excitement
To make someone suddenly feel fear or excitement in their body, especially along their back.
Examples
- The eerie silence sent a shiver down my spine.
- That song always sends a shiver down my spine.