shimmy

1 of 2

noun

shim·​my ˈshi-mē 

plural shimmies

1

[by alteration] : chemise

2

[short for shimmy-shake] : a jazz dance characterized by a shaking of the body from the shoulders down

3

: an abnormal vibration especially in the front wheels of a motor vehicle

shimmy

2 of 2

verb

shimmied; shimmying

intransitive verb

1

: to shake, quiver, or tremble in or as if in dancing a shimmy

2

: to vibrate abnormally

—used especially of automobiles

3

: shinny

Examples of shimmy in a Sentence

Verb

They were shimmying on the dance floor.

I shimmied into my jacket.

One of the car's wheels was shimmying.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The singer walked into the audience and danced alongside Swift and Post Malone before approaching Cabello for a little Cuban-Colombian shimmy. —Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 12 Sep. 2024

In response, Jordana does a quick shimmy in her seat and then reaches for Alipour, who then grabs her by the hair. —Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 5 July 2024

Verb

One firefighter was seen shimmying on a narrow ledge, with ropes in hand, making his way toward the worker. —Chris Ramirez, Journal Sentinel, 10 Oct. 2024

Rescue crews equipped with tanks and gas masks worked to rescue residents inside, with three fire trucks and four ambulances shimmying their way through narrow streets crowded with onlookers. —Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1837, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1919, in the meaning defined at sense 1