shiver

1 of 4

noun (1)

shiv·​er ˈshi-vər 

: one of the small pieces into which a brittle thing is broken by sudden violence

shiver

2 of 4

verb (1)

shivered; shivering ˈshi-və-riŋ 

ˈshiv-riŋ

transitive + intransitive

: to break into many small pieces : shatter

shiver

3 of 4

verb (2)

shivered; shivering

intransitive verb

1

: to undergo trembling : quiver

2

: to tremble in the wind as it strikes first one and then the other side (of a sail)

transitive verb

: to cause (a sail) to shiver by steering close to the wind

shiver

4 of 4

noun (2)

1

: an instance of shivering : tremble

2

: an intense shivery sensation especially of fear

—often used in plural with the

horror movies give him the shivers

3

: a hard blow (as with a forearm) especially to the head or neck

Synonyms

Noun (2)

• quiver
• shudder
• tremble

Examples of shiver in a Sentence

Noun (2)

the prisoner experienced a sudden shiver when confronted with the sight of the dark basement

looking down from the window ledge sent shivers up my spine

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Residents gathered outside the building shivered in the cold, despite the still smoldering fire. —Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 3 Dec. 2024

Those signs might include a tense or stiff posture, shaking, shivering, guarding food or toys, hiding, destructive behavior or howling and whining more than usual. —Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024

Noun

With darkness descending at what feels like midafternoon, late fall is the perfect time to crack open a book that will send shivers down your spine. —Lizz Schumer, People.com, 24 Nov. 2024

Finding a tick embedded in your dog’s skin can send a shiver down your spine. —Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English; akin to Old High German scivaro splinter

Verb (2)

Middle English, alteration of chiveren

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun (2)

1727, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing shiver

• a chill/shiver runs up/down someone's spine
• make a chill/shiver run up/down someone's spine
• send a chill/shiver up/down someone's spine

Kids Definition

shiver

1 of 4 noun

shiv·​er ˈshiv-ər 

: one of the small pieces into which a brittle thing is broken by great force

shiver

2 of 4 verb

shivered; shivering ˈshiv-(ə-)riŋ 

: to break into many small pieces : shatter

shiver

3 of 4 verb

shivered; shivering

ˈshiv-(ə-)riŋ

: to shake involuntarily (as from cold or fear)

shiver

4 of 4 noun

1

: an instance of shivering

2

: a thrill of emotion and especially of fear

—usually used in plural with the

a ghost story that would give you the shivers

Etymology

Noun

Middle English shiver "a small piece of something that is broken"

Verb

Middle English shiveren, an altered form of chiveren "to tremble, shiver"

Medical Definition

shiver

1 of 2 intransitive verb

shiv·​er ˈshiv-ər 

: to undergo trembling : experience rapid involuntary muscular twitching especially in response to cold

shiver

2 of 2 noun

: an instance of shivering