tremulously
/ˈtremjələsli/ (bre, ipa) · [trˈɛmjələsli] /ˈtremjələsli/ (ame, ipa) · [trˈɛmjələsli] /ˈtrem-yə-ləs How to pronounce tremulous (audio)/ (ame, mw)
tremulously — adverb
1. With a slight, unsteady shake in one's voice or body, usually because of intense
With a slight, unsteady shake in one's voice or body, usually because of intense nervousness, fear, or strong emotion.
Layla tremulously asked the judge whether she could address the court.
The old librarian's hand tremulously reached for the book on the highest shelf.
tremulously + reach for — physical trembling movement
Tariq tremulously cleared his throat before reading the letter out loud.
Yasmin tremulously whispered her apology to the crying child in the hallway.
The witness tremulously pointed at the man across the crowded courtroom.
- shakily
More general — describes any kind of unsteady movement, not only from fear
- nervously
Focuses on the emotional cause rather than the physical shaking itself
- fearfully
Emphasizes the emotion of fear as the driving reason
- unsteadily
Describes lack of physical stability, often from weakness or age
- steadily
Firmly, without shaking or hesitation
- confidently
With self-assurance, the opposite of nervous hesitation
用法筆記
Commonly modifies verbs related to speaking (ask, whisper, say), moving (reach, step, hold), or showing emotion (smile, sigh). Often describes a reaction to a stressful or frightening situation.
常見錯誤
tremulously — adjective
- tremulouslypositive
- more tremulouslycomparative
- most tremulouslysuperlative
1. Describes a voice, body part, or movement that shakes or quivers, typically beca
Describes a voice, body part, or movement that shakes or quivers, typically because the person is nervous, weak, or feeling a strong emotion.
Camila's tremulous voice could barely be heard above the classroom noise.
tremulous voice — describes speech affected by nerves
The little boy held out a tremulous hand to show us the injured bird.
A tremulous sigh escaped Andrei as he sank into the chair in the waiting room.
The kitten's tremulous meow drifted out from somewhere beneath the porch.
用法筆記
Typically describes parts of the body (hands, fingers, lips), the voice, breathing, or sounds. Can also describe things that appear to shake (a tremulous flame, a tremulous light). Distinguish from sense 2, which describes personality rather than physical shaking.
常見錯誤
2. Feeling or showing a lack of confidence or courage; nervous about approaching a
Feeling or showing a lack of confidence or courage; nervous about approaching a person, situation, or task.
With a tremulous smile, Bao asked the coach if he could join the team.
The tremulous puppy refused to leave its bed when the guests arrived.
tremulous applied to an animal's manner, not physical shaking
Faisal gave a tremulous knock on the manager's door and waited nervously.
Ada's tremulous apology showed how afraid she was of being scolded.
用法筆記
Different from sense 1: this sense describes a person's manner or an animal's behaviour as timid and lacking courage, without necessarily involving physical shaking. More common in literary writing than everyday speech.