shake
Looking for the meaning of shake? Explore definitions, parts of speech, and usage examples below.
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The act of shaking or being shaken; tremulous or back-and-forth motion.
“She replied in the negative, with a shake of her head.”
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.
(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.
Instant, second. (Especially in two shakes.)
One of the staves of a hogshead or barrel taken apart.
A rapid alternation of a principal tone with another represented on the next degree of the staff above or below it; a trill.
A shook of staves and headings.
The redshank, so called from the nodding of its head while on the ground.
To cause (something) to move rapidly in opposite directions alternatingly.
“He shook the can of soda for thirty seconds before delivering it to me, so that, when I popped it open, soda went everywhere.”
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".”
To move or remove by agitating; to throw off by a jolting or vibrating motion.
“to shake fruit down from a tree”
To disturb emotionally; to shock.
“He was shaken by what had happened.”
To lose, evade, or get rid of (something).
“I can't shake the feeling that I forgot something.”
To move from side to side.
“She shook with grief.”
(usually as "shake on") To shake hands.
“OK, let's shake on it.”
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.
Understanding "shake"
The word **"shake"** is a **noun** in the English language. It is phonetically pronounced as **/ˈʃeɪk/**. Explore the detailed meaning, morphological structure, and usage examples for **"shake"** in our dictionary below.
The English language is incredibly vast, and diving into the definition of the word "shake" provides a perfect example of its linguistic depth. Categorized primarily as a noun, the term "shake" holds specific syntactical roles within a sentence, allowing speakers and writers to convey precise meaning. Understanding how this word functions is an excellent step towards mastering advanced English vocabulary and improving overall reading comprehension.
For those looking to perfect their spoken English, noting the phonetic pronunciation of "shake" is crucial. It is typically transcribed as /ˈʃeɪk/. Proper enunciation ensures that your intended message is received clearly, preventing miscommunication in both formal and casual settings. Linguistic scholars often track the phonological evolution of words like "shake" to understand broader historical shifts in dialects and accents across different English-speaking populations.
When deciding how to use "shake" in everyday communication, it helps to look at exactly how it operates as a noun. In professional writing, academic essays, and creative literature, choosing the perfect vocabulary word can drastically elevate the tone of the text. Because "shake" carries its own unique connotations and denotations, swapping it for a simpler synonym might dilute the impact of your sentence.
Our comprehensive dictionary tool is designed to provide immediate, reliable definitions for thousands of terms, including "shake". By consistently exploring the nuances of vocabulary—including phonetics (/ˈʃeɪk/), part of speech (noun), and usage examples—you can significantly expand your linguistic repertoire. Bookmark this page as a quick reference tool whenever you encounter "shake" in reading materials or wish to incorporate it into your active vocabulary.
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Refer to the usage examples above to see how "shake" can be used in academic and casual conversations.