Shake Definition and Meaning
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Published on November 16, 2025
Shake means to move back and forth or up and down with rapid, forceful, jerky movements. e.g., She had to shake the bottle well before using the sauce.
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Shake Definitions
To move or cause to move with short, quick movements from side to side or up and down.
The earthquake made the whole building shake.
To grasp and move someone's hand up and down as a greeting or agreement.
They shake hands after finalizing the deal.
To upset or disturb the composure of; unsettle.
The scandal shook the community.
To remove or dislodge by jerky movements.
She tried to shake the snow off her boots.
To free oneself from; get rid of.
The company is trying to shake its old-fashioned image.
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To mix (a liquid) by moving a container back and forth.
Shake the juice well before drinking.
To agitate or disturb (a liquid) to mix or blend its contents.
Bartenders often shake cocktails to mix the ingredients thoroughly.
To cause to be unsure; weaken or diminish one's faith or beliefs.
His confidence was shaken after the failure.
To cause to move from side to side or up and down with jerky movements
I shook the juice container.
To cause to tremble, vibrate, or rock
The earthquake shook the ground. The wind shook the barley.
To brandish or wave, especially in anger
Shake one's fist.
To cause to lose stability or strength, as of conviction
A crisis that has shaken my deepest beliefs.
To disturb or agitate emotionally; upset or unnerve
She was shaken by the news of the disaster.
To remove or dislodge by jerky movements
Shook the dust from the cushions.
To scatter or strew by jerky movements
Shook the salt on the popcorn.
To get rid of or put an end to
Could not shake the feeling that things would not work out.
Wanted to shake his habit of snacking.
To get away from (a pursuer)
Couldn't shake the man who was following us.
To bring to a specified condition by or as if by shaking
"It is not easy to shake one's heart free of the impression" (John Middleton Murry).
To clasp (hands) in greeting or leave-taking or as a sign of agreement.
(Music) To trill (a note).
(Games) To rattle and mix (dice) before casting.
To move from side to side or up and down in short, irregular, often jerky movements
The trees shook in the wind.
To move something vigorously up and down or from side to side, as in mixing.
To tremble, as from cold or in anger.
To be unsteady; totter or waver.
(Music) To trill.
To shake hands
Let's shake on it.
The act of shaking
Gave the bottle a shake.
A trembling or quivering movement.
(Informal) An earthquake.
A fissure in rock.
A crack in timber caused by wind or frost.
(Informal) A moment or instant
I'll do it in a shake.
(Music) A trill.
See milkshake.
A beverage in which the ingredients are mixed by shaking.
A rough shingle used to cover rustic buildings, such as barns
Cedar shakes.
Shakes(Informal) Uncontrollable trembling, as in a person who is cold, frightened, feverish, or ill. Often used with the
Was suffering from a bad case of the shakes.
(Informal) A bargain or deal
Getting a fair shake.
To cause (something) to move rapidly in opposite directions alternatingly.
The earthquake shook the building.
He shook the can of soda for thirty seconds before delivering it to me, so that, when I popped it open, soda went everywhere.
(transitive) To move (one's head) from side to side, especially to indicate refusal, reluctance, or disapproval.
Shaking his head, he kept repeating “No, no, no”.
(transitive) To move or remove by agitating; to throw off by a jolting or vibrating motion.
To shake fruit down from a tree
(transitive) To disturb emotionally; to shock.
Her father’s death shook her terribly.
He was shaken by what had happened.
(transitive) To lose, evade, or get rid of (something).
I can’t shake the feeling that I forgot something.
(intransitive) To move from side to side.
She shook with grief.
To shake hands.
OK, let’s shake on it.
(intransitive) To dance.
She was shaking it on the dance floor.
To give a tremulous tone to; to trill.
To shake a note in music
To threaten to overthrow.
The experience shook my religious belief.
To be agitated; to lose firmness.
The act of shaking or being shaken; tremulous or back-and-forth motion.
The cat gave the mouse a shake.
She replied in the negative, with a shake of her head.
A twitch, a spasm, a tremor.
A milkshake.
A beverage made by adding ice cream to a (usually carbonated) drink; a float.
Shake cannabis, small, leafy fragments of cannabis that gather at the bottom of a bag of marijuana.
An adulterant added to cocaine powder.
(building material) A thin shingle.
A crack or split between the growth rings in wood.
A fissure in rock or earth.
A basic wooden shingle made from split logs, traditionally used for roofing etc.
(informal) Instant, second. (Especially in two shakes.)
(nautical) One of the staves of a hogshead or barrel taken apart.
(music) A rapid alternation of a principal tone with another represented on the next degree of the staff above or below it; a trill.
(music) In singing, notes (usually high ones) sung vibrato.
A shook of staves and headings.
The redshank, so called from the nodding of its head while on the ground.
A shock or disturbance.
To cause to move with quick or violent vibrations; to move rapidly one way and the other; to make to tremble or shiver; to agitate.
As a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
Ascend my chariot; guide the rapid wheelsThat shake heaven's basis.
Fig.: To move from firmness; to weaken the stability of; to cause to waver; to impair the resolution of.
When his doctrines grew too strong to be shook by his enemies, they persecuted his reputation.
Thy equal fear that my firm faith and loveCan by his fraud be shaken or seduced.
To give a tremulous tone to; to trill; as, to shake a note in music.
To move or remove by agitating; to throw off by a jolting or vibrating motion; to rid one's self of; - generally with an adverb, as off, out, etc.; as, to shake fruit down from a tree.
Shake off the golden slumber of repose.
'Tis our fast intentTo shake all cares and business from our age.
I could scarcely shake him out of my company.
To be agitated with a waving or vibratory motion; to tremble; to shiver; to quake; to totter.
Under his burning wheelsThe steadfast empyrean shook throughout,All but the throne itself of God.
What danger? Who 's that that shakes behind there?
The act or result of shaking; a vacillating or wavering motion; a rapid motion one way and other; a trembling, quaking, or shivering; agitation.
The great soldier's honor was composedOf thicker stuff, which could endure a shake.
Our salutations were very hearty on both sides, consisting of many kind shakes of the hand.
A fissure or crack in timber, caused by its being dried too suddenly.
A fissure in rock or earth.
A rapid alternation of a principal tone with another represented on the next degree of the staff above or below it; a trill.
One of the staves of a hogshead or barrel taken apart.
A shook of staves and headings.
The redshank; - so called from the nodding of its head while on the ground.
Building material used as siding or roofing
Frothy drink of milk and flavoring and sometimes fruit or ice cream
A note that alternates rapidly with another note a semitone above it
Grasping and shaking a person's hand (as to acknowledge an introduction or to agree on a contract)
Reflex shaking caused by cold or fear or excitement
Causing to move repeatedly from side to side
Move or cause to move back and forth;
The chemist shook the flask vigorously
My hands were shaking
Move with or as if with a tremor;
His hands shook
Shake or vibrate rapidly and intensively;
The old engine was juddering
Move back and forth or sideways;
The ship was rocking
The tall building swayed
She rocked back and forth on her feet
Undermine or cause to waver;
My faith has been shaken
The bad news shook her hopes
Stir the feelings, emotions, or peace of;
These stories shook the community
The civil war shook the country
Get rid of;
I couldn't shake the car that was following me
Bring to a specified condition by or as if by shaking;
He was shaken from his dreams
Shake the salt out of the salt shaker
Shake (a body part) to communicate a greeting, feeling, or cognitive state;
Shake one's head
She shook her finger at the naughty students
The old enemies shook hands
Don't shake your fist at me!
To tremble or quiver, often as a result of fear, shock, or cold.
He started to shake uncontrollably when he heard the news.
To wag or waggle, often indicating a playful or defiant attitude.
The dog will shake its tail when it's happy.
Shake Snonyms
Quiver
To tremble or shake with a slight rapid motion.
The leaves quivered in the wind.
Oscillate
To move or swing back and forth at a regular speed.
The pendulum oscillated in the clock.
Stir
To mix or move (something) by passing an implement through it in a circular motion.
Stir the soup to prevent it from sticking.
Vibrate
To move continuously and rapidly back and forth.
The phone vibrated on the table.
Flutter
To move back and forth rapidly.
Flags flutter in the breeze.
Jerk
To give a quick and typically sharp sudden movement.
He jerked his head towards the sound.
Rattle
To make or cause to make a rapid succession of short, sharp sounds.
The wind rattled the windows.
Tremble
To shake involuntarily, typically as a result of anxiety, excitement, or frailty.
Her voice trembled as she spoke.
Jiggle
To move lightly and quickly up and down or from side to side.
He jiggled the doorknob to see if it was locked.
Wiggle
To move up and down or from side to side with small rapid movements.
The child wiggled her loose tooth with her tongue.
Shake Idioms & Phrases
More than one can shake a stick at
A large number or amount; more than one can count.
She has more awards than you can shake a stick at.
Shake a leg
To hurry up or move faster.
The bus leaves in five minutes, so shake a leg!
Shake someone's hand
To greet someone by shaking hands.
Upon meeting the president, he was nervous to shake his hand.
Shake the cobwebs out
To refresh one's mind, especially after feeling groggy or confused.
A morning jog is great to shake the cobwebs out.
Shake the dust off one's feet
To leave a place permanently, especially because you are not welcome.
After the argument, he decided to shake the dust off his feet and move to a new city.
Shake up
To cause a significant change or disturbance.
The new policy really shook things up in the department.
Shake a tail feather
To dance or move quickly.
They hit the dance floor and started to shake a tail feather.
Shake in one's boots
To be very frightened or scared.
The thought of the upcoming exam made him shake in his boots.
Shake something off
To recover from or dismiss something.
After the initial shock of the news, he was able to shake it off.
Shake Example Sentences
Try to shake the excess water from the umbrella before coming in.
He couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.
The company is trying hard to shake its outdated image.
The puppy would shake its tail excitedly whenever it saw her.
They managed to shake the police during the high-speed chase.
The whole house began to shake during the earthquake.
They shake hands to seal the agreement.
Remember to shake the salad dressing before using it.
He loves to shake cocktails at parties.
She tried to shake her pursuer in the crowded market.
He gave the bottle a vigorous shake before opening it.
Common Curiosities
How many syllables are in shake?
There is one syllable in "shake."
How is shake used in a sentence?
Shake is used as a verb, e.g., Please shake the bottle before use.
What is a stressed syllable in shake?
In "shake," the one syllable it has is stressed.
Why is it called shake?
Shake is called so from the Old English "sceacan," meaning to move (something) quickly to and fro, reflecting the rapid motion involved.
What is the verb form of shake?
The verb form is "to shake," indicating the action of moving something rapidly back and forth or up and down.
How do we divide shake into syllables?
Shake is a single-syllable word and is not divided.
What is the root word of shake?
The root of "shake" is the Old English word "sceacan," which means to move (something) quickly to and fro.
What is the first form of shake?
The first form is "shake," indicating the present tense.
What is the second form of shake?
The second form is "shook," indicating the past tense.
Is shake an adverb?
No, shake is not an adverb.
What is the singular form of shake?
The singular form is "shakes," as in "He/She/It shakes."
Is shake an abstract noun?
No, shake is primarily a verb and sometimes a noun, referring to an action or gesture rather than an abstract concept.
Is shake a countable noun?
As a noun, "shake" can be countable, especially when referring to types or instances of shaking movements.
Is the shake term a metaphor?
"Shake" can be used metaphorically to describe various situations of instability, agitation, or vigor.
Is the word shake imperative?
Yes, "shake" can be used in the imperative form, giving a command or instruction.
Which vowel is used before shake?
The question is not applicable as "shake" is a verb and doesn't follow a vowel or consonant rule for articles.
What is the pronunciation of shake?
Shake is pronounced as /ʃeɪk/.
What part of speech is shake?
Shake is a verb.
What is the plural form of shake?
The verb "shake" does not change form in the plural; it is used based on the subject. However, as a noun referring to a type of movement or a hand gesture, the plural is "shakes."
Is shake a vowel or consonant?
The word "shake" starts with a consonant.
Is shake a collective noun?
No, shake is not typically used as a collective noun.
Is the word “shake” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
In a sentence, "shake" functions as the verb, so it doesn't serve as a direct or indirect object. However, the action of shaking can have a direct object, e.g., "He shakes the bottle."
What is another term for shake?
Another term for shake is "quiver."
Is shake a negative or positive word?
Shake is neutral; its connotation depends on the context in which it is used.
Is the word shake Gerund?
Yes, "shaking" is the gerund form of the verb "to shake."
Which preposition is used with shake?
Prepositions such as "off," "up," and "out" are commonly used with "shake," e.g., "shake off the dust."
Which conjunction is used with shake?
Conjunctions such as "and" or "but" can be used in sentences involving "shake," depending on the sentence structure.
Which article is used with shake?
As a noun, "shake" can be preceded by the articles "a" or "the," depending on whether it is used in a specific or general context.
What is the third form of shake?
The third form is "shaken," used as the past participle in perfect tenses.
Is shake a noun or adjective?
Shake is primarily a verb but can also be used as a noun in contexts like "a handshake" or "a shake of the head."
Which determiner is used with shake?
Determiners are not typically used directly with the verb "shake." However, with "shake" used as a noun, determiners like "the" or "a" can be used, e.g., "The shake was refreshing."
What is the opposite of shake?
The opposite of shake could be "stabilize" or "steady."
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
