vibration
gb/vaɪbɹˈeɪʃən/ us/vaɪbɹˈeɪʃən/
B1
English
~ 8900
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
event
1
rapid back-and-forth physical motion
A fast, small shaking or back-and-forth movement, like when a machine, car, or phone shakes again and again.
Usage pattern:
vibration of [something]; feel [a/the] vibration; cause [strong] vibrations
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'vibration' with 'vibrator'. 'Vibration' is the shaking movement itself, while 'a vibrator' is a device that produces vibration, often with an adult or technical meaning. Learners may also overuse the singular and avoid the plural, but 'vibrations' is common when talking about repeated or multiple shaking effects (e.g., 'strong vibrations from the engine').
Synonyms
shaking (More general and informal; does not always suggest repeated rapid movement like technical 'vibration' does.)
|
oscillation (More technical and formal; commonly used in physics and engineering contexts.)
Antonyms
stillness (Emphasizes the complete lack of movement, which contrasts with the repeated movement in 'vibration'.)
Collocations
strong vibrations
|constant vibration
|vibration of the engine
|feel a vibration
|reduce vibration
|vibration in the steering wheel
Themes
science
|technology
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The vibration from the washing machine could be felt through the floor.
- Engine vibration at high speed made the whole car rattle.
- Please turn your phone to vibration so it doesn’t ring during the meeting.
- The bridge was designed to withstand strong wind-induced vibrations.
- We installed rubber pads to reduce the vibration and noise from the generator.
Learner examples
- I felt a vibration in the seat when the train started.
- There is a strange vibration in the car when I turn left.
- My phone is on vibration, not on loud ring.
- The loud music caused a vibration in the windows.
- Workers wear gloves to protect their hands from vibration.
Noun
informal
B2
state
2
emotional or social atmosphere
The feeling or mood you get from a person, place, or situation, especially if it seems good or bad.
Usage pattern:
give off [good/bad] vibrations; feel [someone’s] vibrations
Common mistake:
Learners often use 'vibration' in this sense where native speakers would say 'vibe'. In everyday speech, 'vibe' is much more common (e.g., 'I get a bad vibe from him') and 'vibrations' sounds a bit spiritual, poetic, or dated unless the speaker is deliberately using that style. Learners also sometimes say 'a vibration with someone' instead of 'a good/bad vibration from someone'.
Synonyms
vibe (More common and very informal; usually used in the singular ('a good vibe', 'the vibe').)
Antonyms
neutrality (Emphasizes the absence of any strong positive or negative emotional feeling or atmosphere.)
Collocations
good vibrations
|bad vibrations
|positive vibrations
|negative vibrations
|spiritual vibrations
|pick up vibrations
Themes
emotions
|social life
|spirituality
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I’m getting some strange vibrations from this place, so let’s leave.
- She gives off really warm, friendly vibrations when you talk to her.
- The festival had nothing but positive vibrations all weekend.
- He said the room’s vibrations changed as more people arrived and started talking.
- The teacher’s calm vibration helped the students relax before the exam.
Learner examples
- I feel good vibrations when I talk to her.
- This restaurant has bad vibrations, so I do not want to stay.
- The party had very positive vibrations and everyone smiled.
- He likes places with peaceful vibrations.
- I do not like the vibrations I get from that group.
Grammar
Dictionary form
vibration
IPA
GB/vaɪbɹˈeɪʃən/
US/vaɪbɹˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
vi - bra - tion (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (bra)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: vibration
- Plural: vibration, vibrations
Word family
Expressions
bad vibrations
1/bˈæd vaɪbɹˈeɪʃənz/
idiom
informal
unpleasant, negative emotional atmosphere
An unpleasant or worrying feeling or atmosphere that you get from a person, place, or situation.
Examples
- I’m getting bad vibrations from this deal, so let’s not sign anything yet.
- There were bad vibrations in the office after the company announced the layoffs.
- He left the party early because the arguments were creating bad vibrations.
good vibrations
1/ɡˈʊd vaɪbɹˈeɪʃənz/
idiom
informal
pleasant, positive emotional atmosphere
A happy, pleasant feeling or atmosphere that you get from a person, place, or situation.
Examples
- There were good vibrations at the concert from the moment the band walked onstage.
- I get good vibrations from this neighborhood, so I think we should move here.
- Her message was full of love and good vibrations.