What does shuddery mean?
“Shuddery” is an uncommon adjective describing a trembling, quivering, or unsettling quality. It can refer to a physical sensation caused by cold, fear, nerves, excitement, or sudden shock, as in “a shuddery feeling,” and it may also convey the idea that something is so unnerving that it makes one recoil. The related noun use denotes a state or sensation of shuddering. While the word is understandable and occasionally effective, it sounds literary and old-fashioned in modern English; “shaky,” “shivering,” “trembling,” or “uneasy” will usually be more natural. Its distinctive force comes from suggesting a fine, involuntary physical response rather than merely saying that something is frightening.
Trembling, quivering, or characterized by a sudden involuntary shudder.
"He felt a shuddery sensation as the elevator began to descend."
Rare and literary in tone.
A state or feeling of shuddering or trembling.
"The shuddery that followed the strange noise was impossible to ignore."
Rare and chiefly literary.
The plural is rare in modern usage.
"The account described several shudderies that passed through the crowd."
“Shuddery” gives a name to the fine, involuntary tremor that can accompany fear, cold, excitement, or awe.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does shuddery come from?
“Shuddery” was formed from the English verb “shudder” with the suffix “-y,” which can create an adjective expressing a quality or a noun naming a state. “Shudder” itself comes through Middle English from an Old English form related to words expressing violent shaking or trembling.
Related word forms
How shuddery is actually used
This is a rare word with a literary or old-fashioned flavor. It is most natural in evocative writing and should generally be avoided in formal or routine communication.
Easily confused with shuddery
“Shuddery” describes a trembling sensation or quality, whereas “shuddersome” means frightening or alarming.