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to vibrate

to vibrate

91 2.8
To make very small, quick moves back and forth
  • verb
  • /vaɪˈbreɪt/
translation icon : vibrar
  • The violinist stroked the strings, making them vibrate beautifully in the air.
  • vibrate back and forth
  • start to vibrate
  • a timer vibrates

You make that brush vibrate and it's going to work.

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Examples

  • So it would just kind of vibrate its way.

  • The phone started to vibrate loudly during the meeting, distracting everyone.

  • You make everything kind of vibrate more, make bigger steps.

  • Listen to them make the air vibrate.

  • You make that brush vibrate and it's going to work.

  • For the next three days, the village vibrates with the nearly constant clamor of the festival.

    Academic text (1991)
  • Have you ever been in a meeting and someone's cell phone started vibrating or ringing?

    Academic text (2013)
  • WHEN EMMA WOKE, the floor was vibrating with the bass from the stereo.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • The ground beneath Shedwyn's feet vibrated with the furious tumbling of the mountain.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • When the engine runs, it causes the entire car to vibrate slightly.

Synonyms

to shake
vsto vibrate
916 1.0

To move quickly from side to side or up and down

is smaller and quicker in motion rather than strong or broad movement
to tremble
vsto vibrate
164 2.5

To shake slightly without control because of fear, cold, or worry

is neutral small rapid movement not tied to emotion or weakness
to wiggle
vsto vibrate
89 1.0

To move with small, quick movements from side to side or up and down

is more about very rapid tiny motions rather than deliberate shifting
to quiver
vsto vibrate
47 4.5

To shake in small, quick movements because of fear, cold, or excitement

is larger in scope and not only slight trembling
to jiggle
vsto vibrate
46 3.2

To move something in short, quick shaking movements

is steadier small repeated motion rather than short bouncy movements
to flutter
vsto vibrate
35 3.5

To move quickly and lightly back and forth, like wings or leaves

is more mechanical small rapid movement rather than light flapping or floating
to pulsate
vsto vibrate
13 4.1

To beat or move in a steady rhythm

is smaller back and forth motion rather than regular expanding and beating
to waver
vsto vibrate
12 4.8

To move or shake in a slight, unsteady way

is faster and more regular small back and forth movement rather than unsteady swaying
to oscillate
vsto vibrate
8 6.5

Move back and forth in a steady rhythm like a fan

is usually faster and less strictly rhythmic than that regular swinging
to jitter
vsto vibrate
2 4.6

To shake or move quickly because you are nervous

is generally steady tiny back and forth motion not nervous jerks
to shimmy
vsto vibrate
1 7.4

To shake slightly with quick movements

is more uniform tiny motion rather than a quick light body tremble
to judder
vsto vibrate
  • UK
1 8.4

Shake quickly and strongly, often making a loud noise

is lighter, quieter small motion rather than intense noisy shaking
to joggle
vsto vibrate
7.7

To move something lightly and repeatedly so it shakes

is steadier continuous tiny motion rather than light repeated nudges
to librate
vsto vibrate
9.9

Move back and forth a little before stopping

is ongoing small motion not specifically the slowing stage before stopping

Antonyms

540 2.8

To become calm and still after movement or excitement

Not move from a place

How Strong

to quake
8 4.2
to shake
916 1.0
to vibrate
91 2.8
to quiver
47 4.5
to tremble
164 2.5

Surface Forms

vibrate infinitive
vibrated past
vibrated past participle
vibrating present participle
vibrates third person singular

Morphology

vibrate = vibr + ate

The verb is formed from the combining form 'vibr-' plus the Latinate verb-forming suffix '-ate', but 'vibr-' is not a standalone English word and '-ate' is not transparently productive for most learners, so the meaning cannot be reliably derived from the parts.

Etymology

Vibrate comes from the old Latin vibrare, which meant 'to shake' or 'move quickly'. A helpful way to remember it is that the same root is in vibration and vibrant, so to vibrate is to make quick small movements, like a phone, a guitar string, or a lively voice.