quake

quake — verb

1. to shake or shudder physically because you are extremely frightened, nervous, or

1.verbintransitiveB2
Definition

to shake or shudder physically because you are extremely frightened, nervous, or greatly amused

Example

The puppy quaked in the corner during the loud thunderstorm.

quake + in a place from fear

Isabela's voice quaked as she told the class about the accident.

body part + quake as a sign of emotion

Common collocations
  • quake with fear
  • quake with laughter
  • voice quaked
  • knees quaked
  • quake in the corner
Synonyms
  • tremble

    lighter, finer vibrations; can arise from cold or weakness as well as fear

  • shudder

    a single, sudden convulsive movement; often triggered by disgust or horror

  • shiver

    rapid small movements; most often from cold rather than fear

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

quake + with [emotion]

quake + at [stimulus]

Usage Note

Frequently combines with 'with' to state the emotion (fear, fright, laughter). 'Voice' and 'legs' are common subjects when describing a person's physical reaction.

Common Mistakes

The building quaked with fear.
The building shook during the earthquake.
Only living creatures quake with emotions; buildings quake only from physical force.

2. to feel very frightened or worried about something that has happened or might ha

2.verbintransitiveB2
Definition

to feel very frightened or worried about something that has happened or might happen

Example

Theo quaked at the thought of telling his parents about the broken window.

quake at the thought of [situation]

Saira quaked for her brother's safety during the severe snowstorm.

quake for + someone's safety

Common collocations
  • quake at the thought of
  • quake at the idea of
  • quake for someone's safety
  • quake before a challenge
Synonyms
  • dread

    stronger and more formal; implies an ongoing fear of a future event

  • be terrified

    more direct and common in everyday speech

  • fear

    a neutral, all-purpose verb for being afraid

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

quake + at [thought/sight/idea]

quake + for [someone's safety]

Usage Note

Often followed by 'at' (the cause of fear) or 'for' (the person feared for). Unlike sense 1, this sense focuses on the emotional state itself, not necessarily on visible physical shaking.

Common Mistakes

I quaked that I would fail the test.
I quaked at the thought of failing the test.
Quake is not followed by a that-clause; use 'at the thought/sight/idea of' instead.

3. to experience violent shaking, as when the ground shifts during an earthquake or

3.verbintransitiveC1
Definition

to experience violent shaking, as when the ground shifts during an earthquake or a building is struck by a large blast

Example

The ground quaked when the demolition team set off the explosives.

ground quakes from explosions

The windows quaked and the dishes rattled as a freight train rumbled past.

Common collocations
  • ground quaked
  • building quaked
  • walls quaked
  • quake from an explosion
  • quake with force
Synonyms
  • shake

    more general; does not necessarily imply as much force

  • vibrate

    small, rapid back-and-forth motion; more technical

  • rattle

    describes a noisy, loose shaking, often of objects in a container

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

quake + from [force]

quake + with [intensity]

Usage Note

Implies a stronger, more alarming movement than 'shake' or 'vibrate.' Common with subjects like 'ground,' 'building,' 'walls,' and 'windows.' The cause is typically external and forceful — an explosion, earthquake, or heavy traffic.

quake — noun

Word family

  • quaking
    adjectiveB2
  • earthquake
    nounB1
  • quaky
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four verbs describe involuntary shaking of the body, but they differ in cause and intensity. Quake implies a strong, visible trembling driven by deep fear, great shock, or intense amusement — the whole body seems to shake. Tremble is the most general term, covering lighter, finer vibrations that can come from cold, fear, nervousness, weakness, or excitement. Shudder describes a sudden, brief convulsive movement, typically triggered by disgust, horror, or a disturbing memory. Shiver most commonly refers to rapid, very small movements caused by cold or a mild fright. For example: 'The soldier quaked at the explosion' suggests overwhelming fear; 'The singer trembled with stage fright' describes lighter, performance-related anxiety; 'She shuddered at the thought of the spider' conveys a brief reaction of disgust; and 'We shivered in the icy wind' is purely about cold.

quake ↗tremble ↗shudder ↗shiver ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • quake in one's boots
  • quake with fear
  • quake with laughter
  • quake at the thought of

Prepositions

  • with (fear, fright, laughter)
  • at (the thought, the sight, the idea)
  • for (someone's safety)
  • in (one's boots, a corner)

Etymology

Old EnglishGermanicEnglish

Quake comes from Old English cwacian, meaning 'to shake, tremble, or vibrate.' It is related to similar words in other Germanic languages, such as Middle Dutch quaken 'to quake' and Old High German quihhan 'to shake.' The use of quake as a shortened form of 'earthquake' first appeared in American English in the mid-19th century.