shiver
1 of 4noun (1)
shiv·er ˈshi-vər 
: one of the small pieces into which a brittle thing is broken by sudden violence
shiver
2 of 4verb (1)
shivered; shivering ˈshi-və-riŋ
ˈshiv-riŋ
transitive + intransitive
: to break into many small pieces : shatter
shiver
3 of 4verb (2)
shivered; shivering ˈshi-və-riŋ
ˈshiv-riŋ
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 4noun (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
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
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
Kids Definition
shiver 1 of 2
verb
shiv·er ˈshi-vər
shivered; shivering
: to shake slightly (as from cold or fear)
shiver
2 of 2noun
: a small shaking movement of the body (as from cold or emotion)
a shiver of delight
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 2noun
: an instance of shivering
shiver 1 of 2
noun
1
as in shudder
an instance of shaking involuntarily with fear or cold the prisoner experienced a sudden shiver when confronted with the sight of the dark basement Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- shudder
- tremble
- tremor
- quiver
- jolt
- wave
- shake
- quake
- wobble
- flutter
- convulsing
- throb
- agitation
- vibration
- pulse
- wabble
- palpitation
- fluctuation
- oscillation
- pulsation
- beat
2
as in butterflies
shivers plural a sense of panic or extreme nervousness looking down from the window ledge sent shivers up my spine Synonyms & Similar Words
- butterflies
- nerves
- shakes
- creeps
- willies
- heebie-jeebies
- jitters
- jimjams
- screaming meemies
- hysteria
- fear
- whim-whams
- cold sweat
- fidgets
- nervous breakdown
- goose bumps
- dither
- frazzle
- uneasiness
- anxiety
- jumpiness
- skittishness
- edginess
- agitation
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- calm
- composure
- tranquility
- equanimity
- aplomb
- tranquillity
- self-possession
- imperturbability
shiver
2 of 2verb
1
as in to tremble
Synonyms & Similar Words
- tremble
- shudder
- quiver
- shake
- quake
- flutter
- flit
- squirm
- pace
- wiggle
- twitch
- twitter
- writhe
- wriggle
- jig
- jerk
- fiddle
- fidget
- toss
- jiggle
- thresh
- thrash
- twist
- squiggle
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- relax
- rest
- calm (down)
- unwind
- still
2
as in to crunch
Synonyms & Similar Words
- crunch
- wrack
- split
- desolate
- splinter
- ruin
- wreck
- snap
- tear down
- vaporize
- destroy
- annihilate
- total
- crack
- waste
- pulverize
- crush
- bash
- fragment
- shatter
- devastate
- fracture
- nuke
- decimate
- demolish
- smash
- break down
- crash
- bust