trembles: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal & Medical/Veterinary
Quick answer
What does “trembles” mean?
Shakes involuntarily, typically from fear, cold, or weakness.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Shakes involuntarily, typically from fear, cold, or weakness.
The third-person singular present tense and plural noun form of the verb 'tremble'. As a noun (the trembles), it can refer to: 1) A disease of livestock, especially cattle, caused by poisoning and characterized by muscular tremors (e.g., 'milk sickness'). 2) A state of involuntary trembling or shaking.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
As a verb, usage is identical. The noun 'the trembles' is understood in both varieties but is a technical term in veterinary science. The specific livestock disease 'milk sickness' is historically more referenced in American contexts due to its occurrence in pioneer history.
Connotations
Identical core connotations. The noun form may sound slightly more informal or archaic in British English outside of technical use.
Frequency
The verb form is of medium frequency. The noun 'the trembles' is very low frequency and domain-specific.
Grammar
How to Use “trembles” in a Sentence
[Sb] trembles (with [N])[Sb] trembles [to INF] (literary)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “trembles” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She trembles every time she has to give a presentation.
- The old bridge trembles as the heavy lorry crosses it.
American English
- His voice trembles when he talks about the accident.
- The ground trembled slightly during the minor quake.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Possibly in metaphorical sense: 'The market trembled at the news of the interest rate hike.'
Academic
Used in literature (emotions), biology/medicine (physiological response), veterinary science (disease).
Everyday
Common for describing fear, cold, or intense emotion: 'Her hands tremble when she's nervous.'
Technical
Specific use in veterinary medicine for 'the trembles' as a disease.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “trembles”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “trembles”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “trembles”
- Using 'trembles' as an adjective (*a trembles voice). Correct: 'a trembling voice'.
- Confusing 'trembles' (verb/noun) with 'tremors' (noun only, more clinical).
- Incorrect noun plural: 'He has the tremble.' Correct: 'He has the trembles.' (idiomatic)
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While most common for people/animals, it can be used poetically or metaphorically for objects (e.g., leaves, buildings, the earth) to suggest a light, shaking motion.
'Tremble' often implies slight, rapid vibrations due to emotion or weakness. 'Shake' is broader and can be more forceful or voluntary. 'Quiver' suggests a very fast, slight trembling, often like a plucked string or light.
Yes, the base verb 'tremble' can be used in continuous forms: 'She was trembling with rage.' The noun 'the trembles' is not used in a continuous form.
As a verb, it is neutral and suitable for both everyday and formal contexts. The noun 'the trembles' is informal when describing a personal state ('I've got the trembles') but technical in veterinary science.
Shakes involuntarily, typically from fear, cold, or weakness.
Trembles: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtrɛmbəlz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtrɛmbəlz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Knee-trembler (slang, vulgar)”
- “In a tremble (state of agitation)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a **trem**ulous **bl**ade of gr**ass** shaking in the wind -> tremble-s.
Conceptual Metaphor
FEAR IS COLD ('I trembled with fear'); WEAKNESS IS INSTABILITY ('His legs trembled from exhaustion').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'the trembles' used as a correct technical noun?