Meaning

(transitive, ergative) To cause (something) to move rapidly in opposite directions alternatingly..

Definitions by Sense

1. (transitive, ergative) To cause (something) to move rapidly in opposite directions alternatingly.
2. (transitive) To move (one's head) from side to side, especially to indicate refusal, reluctance, or disapproval.
3. (transitive) To move or remove by agitating; to throw off by a jolting or vibrating motion.
4. (transitive) To disturb emotionally; to shock.
5. (transitive, idiomatic) To lose, evade, or get rid of (something).
6. (intransitive) To move from side to side.
7. (intransitive, usually as "shake on") To shake hands.
8. (intransitive) To dance.

Example Sentences

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.

Meanwhile Nanny Broome was recovering from her initial panic and now seemed anxious to make up for any kudos she might have lost, by exerting her personality to the utmost. She took the policeman's helmet and placed it on a chair, and unfolded his tunic to shake it and fold it up again for him.

Shaking his head, he kept repeating “No, no, no”.

I became alſo a reproch vnto them: when they looked vpon me, they ſhaked their heads.

to shake fruit down from a tree

[…]Shake off the golden ſlumber of repoſe;[…]

But indeed this Shame was a bold Villain; I could ſcarce ſhake him out of my company; [...]

Word Forms

• shakes
• shaking
• shook
• shaked
• shooketh
• shaken
• shooken

Synonyms for shake

Related Words

When Should You Use Shake?

Use shake when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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