How to pronounce shiver
Say it like SHIV-er. Shiver has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SHIV).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce shiver. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SHIV
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Shiver pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SHIVSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of shiver
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: SHIV-uh.
What does shiver mean?
- To tremble or shake, especially when cold or frightened.“They stood outside for hours, shivering in the frosty air.”
- To cause to shake or tremble, as a sail, by steering close to the wind.
- The act of shivering.“A shiver went up my spine.”
- A bodily response to early hypothermia.
- A fragment or splinter, especially of glass or stone.
- A splinter of wood embedded in the flesh
- A variety of blue slate.
Where does shiver come from?
Origin uncertain, perhaps an alteration of chavel, or a frequentive of sheaf.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with shiver
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of shiver.
Questions about saying shiver
How do you pronounce shiver?
Say SHIV-er. The American pronunciation is /ˈʃɪvɚ/. In British English it is /ˈʃɪvə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in shiver?
Shiver has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SHIV). Broken into parts: SHIV · er.
Is shiver pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈʃɪvə/ (SHIV-uh).