shudder

UK: /ˈʃʌdə^r/ US: /ˈʃʌdɚ/ ,(shud′ər)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

shud•der /ˈʃʌdɚ/   v. [no object]

1. to tremble with a sudden movement, as from horror.

n. [countable]

2. a trembling, as from horror or cold.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

shud•der  (shud′ər), v.i. 

1. to tremble with a sudden convulsive movement, as from horror, fear, or cold.

n. 

2. a convulsive movement of the body, as from horror, fear, or cold.

• Low German), frequentative of Old English scūdan to tremble; see -er⁶
• Middle English shodderen (verb, verbal) (cognate with German schaudern 1275–1325

Synonyms

• 1. quiver. See shiver ¹.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

shudder / ˈʃʌdə/ verb

1. (intransitive) to shake or tremble suddenly and violently, as from horror, fear, aversion, etc

noun

1. the act of shuddering; convulsive shiver

Etymology: 18th Century: from Middle Low German schōderen; related to Old Frisian skedda to shake, Old High German skutten to shake

ˈshuddering adjective

ˈshudderingly adverb

ˈshuddery adjective