tremulous
gb/tɹˈɛmjʊləs/ us/tɹˈɛmjʊləs/
C2
English
~ 8100
Senses
0 senses
adjective
literary
C2
property
1
slightly shaking or quivering
Shaking a little and not steady, often because you are afraid, weak, or very emotional.
Usage pattern:
a tremulous [voice/hand/smile]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "tremulous" with "tremendous" because they look similar. "Tremulous" means slightly shaking, often from fear or emotion, while "tremendous" means very big or very good. Another mistake is to use "tremulous" as a verb (e.g., *"He tremuloused"*); the correct verbs are "tremble" or "shake."
Synonyms
shaky (More common and general; can describe anything not steady, not only from emotion.)
|
quivering (Focuses on the rapid movement itself; less strongly linked to emotion than "tremulous" in literary use.)
|
trembling (Very close in meaning; slightly more everyday and physical, less literary in tone.)
Antonyms
steady (Describes something that does not shake or move; opposite of the unsteady quality in "tremulous".)
|
firm (Emphasizes being solid and not shaking, especially for hands, grip, or voice.)
Collocations
tremulous voice
|tremulous hands
|tremulous smile
|tremulous lips
|tremulous laugh
Themes
emotions
|physical_sensation
|health
|literature
|body
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She answered in a tremulous voice, fighting back tears.
- His signature was barely legible, a tremulous line across the page.
- The old man raised a tremulous hand to adjust his glasses.
- A tremulous smile flickered across his face when he saw her.
- He let out a tremulous laugh that betrayed his nerves.
Learner examples
- Her tremulous voice showed that she was scared.
- He held the cup with tremulous hands.
- I saw a tremulous smile on his face.
- The child took a tremulous step toward the dog.
- She gave a tremulous laugh before she started to cry.
adjective
literary
C2
property
2
timid, nervous, lacking confidence
Shy and nervous, and not feeling strong or sure, so that this shows in how you speak or act.
Usage pattern:
a tremulous [person/voice/reply]
Common mistake:
Learners may think "tremulous" always describes physical shaking only. In this sense it also describes a shy, nervous personality or manner, similar to "timid". Another mistake is overusing it in casual conversation; in modern English it sounds literary or formal.
Synonyms
timid (Very close in meaning; more common and can be used in everyday speech as well as in writing.)
|
nervous (More general and everyday; describes feeling worried or afraid, not necessarily in a delicate or literary way.)
|
fearful (Stronger focus on fear itself, while "tremulous" suggests a delicate, hesitant quality.)
Antonyms
confident (Direct opposite in terms of self-assurance and lack of fear when speaking or acting.)
|
bold (Opposite in showing courage and willingness to act, instead of hesitating in a tremulous way.)
Collocations
tremulous courage
|tremulous reply
|tremulous youth
|tremulous uncertainty
Themes
personality
|emotions
|social
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- A tremulous student raised her hand to ask the first question.
- He gave a tremulous apology, unsure if it would be accepted.
- Her tremulous response revealed how intimidated she felt.
- With tremulous courage, they spoke out against the decision.
- There was a tremulous hope in his eyes that things might change.
Learner examples
- The boy gave a tremulous answer to the teacher.
- Her tremulous voice showed that she was not sure of herself.
- He took a tremulous step into the dark room.
- She wrote a tremulous email to her new boss.
- They made a tremulous plan to talk to their parents.
Grammar
Dictionary form
tremulous
IPA
GB/tɹˈɛmjʊləs/
US/tɹˈɛmjʊləs/
Syllables & stress
trem - u - lous (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (trem)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: tremulous
Word family
Expressions
in a tremulous voice
1/ˈɪn ə tɹˈɛmjʊləs vˈɔɪs/
fixed phrase
literary
speaking with a shaking voice
To speak in a weak, shaking way, often because you are afraid, weak, or very emotional.
Examples
- She said his name in a tremulous voice and then fell silent.
- He thanked the jury in a tremulous voice that showed his relief.
- The child asked, in a tremulous voice, if his mother would be okay.
with tremulous hands
1/wˈɪθ tɹˈɛmjʊləs hˈændz/
fixed phrase
literary
acting with shaking hands
To do something while your hands are shaking a little, usually because you are afraid, weak, or very emotional.
Examples
- With tremulous hands, she unfolded the letter.
- He reached for the glass with tremulous hands and nearly dropped it.
- The old woman, with tremulous hands, tied the ribbon around the box.