quake

Language: en

🇬🇧 /ˈkweɪk/ 🇺🇸 /ˈkweɪk/

📖 Definitions

  1. noun
    A sudden shaking or trembling of the ground, typically caused by movement of tectonic plates; an earthquake.; A trembling or shaking movement of the body, usually caused by fear, cold, or excitement.; A quaking bog or area of soft, unstable ground that trembles when stepped on.
  2. verb
    To shake or tremble, especially from fear, cold, or excitement.; To shake or vibrate, as the ground does during an earthquake.; To cause to shake or tremble.

🔗 Details

Word forms

countable Plural: quakes 3rd sing.: quakes Past: quaked Past part.: quaked Pres part.: quaking

Collocations

quake with fearquake in one's bootsquake at the thoughtthe ground quaked

Derivatives

quakyquakinessearthquake

Synonyms

trembleshakeshuddershivertremor

Antonyms

steadystabilize

Commonly confused

quack
EN: 'quack' is the sound a duck makes or a fraudulent practitioner; 'quake' means to shake or tremble.
shake
EN: 'shake' is a general term for rapid movement; 'quake' implies a more intense, often involuntary or seismic trembling.

Spelling tips

EN: Do not confuse 'quake' with 'quack' (duck sound) or 'quail' (to lose courage). The 'qu-' cluster is silent 'u' after 'q'.

💬 Examples

  1. The quake measured 7.2 on the Richter scale and caused widespread destruction.

  2. A quake of fear ran through her as she heard the footsteps behind her.

  3. The hikers carefully avoided the quake near the edge of the marsh.

  4. He quaked with terror as the monster approached.

  5. The earth quaked beneath their feet as the volcano erupted.

  6. The explosion quaked the windows of every building on the street.