Shaking
'ʃeɪkɪŋ
Definitions
2 meaningsTo move or cause to move with short, jerky movements; to tremble or vibrate.
'ʃeɪkɪŋ
To move or cause to move rapidly back and forth or up and down.
The dog was shaking with cold.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're really, really cold or scared! When you're shaking, your body is moving back and forth quickly. Like when you’re mixing a drink in a cocktail shaker or feeling nervous before a big presentation. It's like your body has a tiny earthquake!
👶 For kids: When something is shaking, it's moving back and forth really fast.
More Examples
She was shaking her head to disagree.
The strong wind was shaking the trees.
How It's Used
"The earthquake was shaking the whole city."
"He was shaking with fever."
"The team is shaking up their strategy after the loss."
The act or instance of shaking; a trembling movement.
'ʃeɪkɪŋ
The act of moving or causing to move rapidly back and forth.
The constant shaking of the old building made everyone nervous.
💡 Simply: The act of moving quickly back and forth or up and down. Like when a car experiences vibrations when driving fast or how one might shake their head in disagreement.
👶 For kids: When something is shaking, it's moving back and forth really fast.
More Examples
The shaking of the branches indicated a strong wind.
Her hands were showing a slight shaking.
How It's Used
"The shaking of the table caused the glasses to fall."
"Tremors and shaking are common symptoms of Parkinson's disease."
Idioms & expressions
shake off
To get rid of something unpleasant or unwanted.
"She tried to shake off her worries and enjoy the party."
shake something up
To make a big change in a situation or organization.
"The new CEO is planning to shake up the company's management."
From Middle English shāken, from Old English scacan (to shake, brandish), from Proto-Germanic *skakananą (to shake).
The word "shake" has been used since Old English times, initially to mean brandish or move rapidly.