quaver
C1Formal, Musical, Literary
Definition
Meaning
To tremble or shake, especially in a rapid, wavering manner; a musical note half the length of a crotchet.
A wavering or trembling quality in a person's voice, typically from emotion. In music, an eighth note.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a verb, it typically describes involuntary shaking (voice, limb) or sound vibration. As a noun, the musical meaning is technical; the voice quality meaning is descriptive/emotional.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
As a musical note, 'quaver' (UK) = 'eighth note' (US). The verb and noun (voice quality) are used in both varieties, though slightly more common in UK English.
Connotations
In both, the verb/noun describing voice often conveys fear, age, or strong emotion. No significant difference in connotation.
Frequency
More frequent in UK English overall. The musical term 'quaver' is standard in UK; Americans exclusively use 'eighth note'.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Her voice quavered [with emotion].He managed to speak, though a quaver was audible.A quaver in his tone betrayed his anxiety.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not a quaver in his voice (showing complete steadiness or confidence).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly to describe an unsteady voice in a high-stakes presentation.
Academic
Used in literary analysis (describing a character's voice) and music theory.
Everyday
Used to describe an emotional or aged voice. The musical term is common among musicians/students.
Technical
Standard term in UK music notation for an eighth note.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- There was a distinct quaver in his voice when he mentioned her name.
- The melody is made up of rapid quavers and semiquavers.
American English
- A quaver of fear was detectable in her otherwise calm narration.
- The rhythm requires you to hold the quarter note for twice as long as the eighth note. (American equivalent of 'quaver')
verb
British English
- Her voice began to quaver as she recounted the difficult memory.
- The singer's high note quavered slightly before she steadied it.
American English
- His voice quavered with emotion during the farewell speech. (Note: 'eighth note' would be used for the musical noun.)
adverb
British English
- She sang quaveringly, overcome by the moment.
- He spoke quaveringly of his past losses.
American English
- The witness answered quaveringly under cross-examination.
adjective
British English
- He answered in a quavering tone.
- The quavering line of the melody created a melancholic effect.
American English
- She gave a quavering response to the shocking news.
- The old recording had a quavering, distant quality.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The child's voice quavered when she was scared.
- In this piece, you need to play the quavers quickly.
- Despite her anxiety, not a quaver entered her voice during the presentation.
- The elderly man's hands were steady, but his speech had a permanent quaver.
- The cellist executed the passage of demisemiquavers and quavers with impeccable precision.
- Her narrative, delivered with only the faintest quaver, was all the more powerful for its controlled emotion.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
QUAVER sounds like 'quake' and 'waver' — both involve shaking or unsteadiness.
Conceptual Metaphor
EMOTION IS INSTABILITY / A WEAK FOUNDATION (the voice quavers as if the emotional ground is shaking).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'квакать' (to croak).
- Музыкальная 'quaver' (UK) = 'восьмая нота', а не 'четверть' (crotchet/quarter note).
- Глагол 'quaver' часто относится именно к голосу, а не к общему дрожанию тела.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'His hands were quavering.' (More common: 'trembling' or 'shaking' for limbs; 'quaver' is strongly associated with voice/sound.)
- In US: Using 'quaver' instead of 'eighth note' in a musical context may cause confusion.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the use of 'quaver' be most natural in American English?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It's a C1-level word. It's common in musical contexts in the UK and in literary/descriptive writing about voice or sound in both UK and US English.
'Tremble' is general (body, voice). 'Quiver' suggests a rapid, slight tremor (lip, leaves). 'Quaver' is almost exclusively for voice or musical sound, implying a wavering pitch or break.
Yes, the present participle 'quavering' functions as an adjective (e.g., 'a quavering voice'). There is no dedicated adjective form like 'quaverous' in standard use.
Americans use 'eighth note'. Using 'quaver' in a US music class would likely cause confusion.