quake

1 of 2

verb

ˈkwāk 

quaked; quaking

intransitive verb

1

: to shake or vibrate usually from shock or instability

2

: to tremble or shudder usually from cold or fear

quake

2 of 2

noun

: an instance of shaking or trembling (as of the earth or moon)

especially : earthquake

Synonyms

Verb

• agitate
• bucket
• convulse
• jerk
• jiggle
• joggle
• jolt
• jounce
• judder [chiefly British]
• quiver
• shake
• shudder
• vibrate
• wobble
• wabble

Noun

• earthquake
• shake
• temblor
• tremor

Examples of quake in a Sentence

Verb

She was quaking with rage.

The explosion made the whole house quake.

Noun

the quake registered 6.5 on the Richter scale, causing widespread damage

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

In this puzzle, however, the things that are shaking are quaking ASPENS. —Deb Amlen, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2025

Your emotions may be shaking and quaking deep within. —USA TODAY, 28 Sep. 2024

Noun

The latest quake took place just after 3 p.m. local time, according to USGS. —Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2025

The 4-mile deep quake hit about 5 miles northeast of San Martin in the Santa Clara Valley at 12:35 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7, according to the USGS. —Brooke Baitinger, Sacramento Bee, 7 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Old English cwacian

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

quake

1 of 2 verb

ˈkwāk 

quaked; quaking

1

: to shake or vibrate usually from shock or lack of stability

2

: to tremble or shudder usually from cold or fear

quake

2 of 2 noun

: a shaking or trembling

especially : earthquake