Shiver vs. Thrill: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on October 27, 2023
Shiver is a reflexive tremor due to cold or fear, while thrill denotes a sudden feeling of excitement or pleasure.
Key Differences
Shiver and thrill are two words often associated with intense feelings, though they differ in their primary implications. A shiver typically relates to a slight shaking or movement of the body, often induced by cold or emotional responses like fear. In contrast, thrill describes a sharp sensation or a sudden burst of excitement.
When someone says they "shivered" from the cold, it means their body involuntarily trembled because of the low temperatures. On the other hand, when someone is "thrilled," it signifies they are experiencing heightened emotions, often joy or exhilaration.
The word shiver can be both a noun and a verb. For example, as a noun, one might say, "I felt a shiver down my spine." As a verb, it could be, "I shivered in the freezing weather." Thrill, similarly, can function as both a noun and verb. As a noun: "The roller coaster gave me a thrill." As a verb: "The news thrilled him."
While both words can denote reactions to stimuli, shiver more often points to physical sensations or involuntary responses. Thrill leans more into the emotional or psychological realm, indicating reactions to events, stories, or experiences that are exceptionally engaging or exhilarating.
In essence, while shivers are often brief, involuntary physical reactions, thrills are moments of heightened emotion, typically tied to excitement or pleasure.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Definition
A reflexive tremor due to cold or emotion
A sudden feeling of excitement or pleasure
Part of Speech
Both a noun and a verb
Both a noun and a verb
Typical Causes
Cold, fear, or strong emotion
Exciting events, stories, or experiences
Example Usage
"I shivered in the cold."
"I was thrilled by the movie."
Synonyms
Tremble, quiver
Excite, exhilarate
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Shiver and Thrill Definitions
Shiver
To shake or tremble as a result of cold or fear.
I shivered when I stepped outside in the snow.
Thrill
A sudden feeling of excitement.
The roller coaster provided a major thrill.
Shiver
An instance of shuddering or trembling.
I felt a shiver of apprehension.
Thrill
A burst of pleasure from an experience.
Reading the novel was a thrill.
Shiver
To shake or tremble, as from cold or fear.
Thrill
To cause to feel a sudden sensation of pleasure or delight; excite greatly
Was thrilled to learn that she had won the contest.
Shiver
To quiver or vibrate, as by the force of the wind.
Thrill
To cause to quiver, tremble, or vibrate.
Shiver
To cause (a sail) to flutter by sailing too close to the wind.
Thrill
To feel a sudden sensation of pleasure or delight
"His answer came that afternoon and she thrilled to see the handwriting" (Susan Minot).
Shiver
To break into fragments or splinters; shatter.
Thrill
To quiver, tremble, or vibrate.
Shiver
To cause to break suddenly into fragments or splinters.
Thrill
A sudden feeling of pleasure or excitement
It gave him a thrill to learn their secret.
Shiver
An instance of shivering or trembling.
Thrill
A source or cause of pleasure or excitement
The thrills of the amusement park.
Shiver
Shivers An attack of shivering. Used with the.
Thrill
A quivering or trembling caused by sudden excitement or emotion.
Shiver
A fragment or splinter.
Thrill
(Medicine) A slight palpable vibration associated with a cardiac murmur and certain other cardiac or respiratory conditions.
Shiver
To tremble or shake, especially when cold or frightened.
They stood outside for hours, shivering in the frosty air.
Thrill
(ergative) To suddenly excite someone, or to give someone great pleasure; to (figuratively) electrify; to experience such a sensation.
Shiver
To cause to shake or tremble, as a sail, by steering close to the wind.
Thrill
(ergative) To (cause something to) tremble or quiver.
Shiver
To break into splinters or fragments.
Thrill
(obsolete) To perforate by a pointed instrument; to bore; to transfix; to drill.
Shiver
The act of shivering.
A shiver went up my spine.
Thrill
(obsolete) To hurl; to throw; to cast.
Shiver
(medicine) A bodily response to early hypothermia.Wp
Thrill
(machining) To drill and thread in one operation, using a tool bit that cuts the hole and the threads in one series of computer-controlled movements.
Shiver
A fragment or splinter, especially of glass or stone.
Thrill
A trembling or quivering, especially one caused by emotion.
Shiver
A thin slice; a shive.
Thrill
A cause of sudden excitement; a kick.
Shiver
(geology) A variety of blue slate.
Thrill
(medicine) A slight quivering of the heart that accompanies a cardiac murmur.
Shiver
(nautical) A sheave or small wheel in a pulley.
Thrill
A breathing place or hole; a nostril, as of a bird.
Shiver
A small wedge, as for fastening the bolt of a window shutter.
Thrill
A warbling; a trill.
Shiver
A spindle.
Thrill
A breathing place or hole; a nostril, as of a bird.
Shiver
Collective noun for a group of sharks
Thrill
A drill. See 3d Drill, 1.
Shiver
One of the small pieces, or splinters, into which a brittle thing is broken by sudden violence; - generally used in the plural.
Thrill
A sensation as of being thrilled; a tremulous excitement; as, a thrill of horror; a thrill of joy.
Shiver
A thin slice; a shive.
Of your soft bread, not but a shiver.
Thrill
To perforate by a pointed instrument; to bore; to transfix; to drill.
He pierced through his chafed chestWith thrilling point of deadly iron brand.
Shiver
A variety of blue slate.
Thrill
Hence, to affect, as if by something that pierces or pricks; to cause to have a shivering, throbbing, tingling, or exquisite sensation; to pierce; to penetrate.
To bathe in flery floods, or to resideIn thrilling region of thick-ribbed ice.
Vivid and picturesque turns of expression which thrill the eader with sudden delight.
The cruel word her tender heart so thrilled,That sudden cold did run through every vein.
Shiver
A sheave or small wheel in a pulley.
Thrill
To hurl; to throw; to cast.
I'll thrill my javelin.
Shiver
A small wedge, as for fastening the bolt of a window shutter.
Thrill
To pierce, as something sharp; to penetrate; especially, to cause a tingling sensation that runs through the system with a slight shivering; as, a sharp sound thrills through the whole frame.
I have a faint cold fear thrills through my veins.
Shiver
A spindle.
Thrill
To feel a sharp, shivering, tingling, or exquisite sensation, running through the body.
To seek sweet safety outIn vaults and prisons, and to thrill and shake.
Shiver
The act of shivering or trembling.
Thrill
The swift release of a store of affective force;
They got a great bang out of it
What a boot!
He got a quick rush from injecting heroin
He does it for kicks
Shiver
To break into many small pieces, or splinters; to shatter; to dash to pieces by a blow; as, to shiver a glass goblet.
All the groundWith shivered armor strown.
Thrill
An almost pleasurable sensation of fright;
A frisson of surprise shot through him
Shiver
To separate suddenly into many small pieces or parts; to be shattered.
There shiver shafts upon shields thick.
The natural world, should gravity once cease, . . . would instantly shiver into millions of atoms.
Thrill
Something that thrills;
The thrills of space travel
Shiver
To tremble; to vibrate; to quiver; to shake, as from cold or fear.
Prometheus is laidOn icy Caucasus to shiver.
The man that shivered on the brink of sin,Thus steeled and hardened, ventures boldly in.
Thrill
Cause to be thrilled by some perceptual input;
The men were thrilled by a loud whistle blow
Shiver
To cause to shake or tremble, as a sail, by steering close to the wind.
Thrill
Feel sudden intense sensation or emotion;
He was thrilled by the speed and the roar of the engine
Shiver
Reflex shaking caused by cold or fear or excitement
Thrill
Tremble convulsively, as from fear or excitement
Shiver
An almost pleasurable sensation of fright;
A frisson of surprise shot through him
Thrill
Fill with sublime emotion; tickle pink (exhilarate is obsolete in this usage);
The children were thrilled at the prospect of going to the movies
He was inebriated by his phenomenal success
Shiver
Tremble convulsively, as from fear or excitement
Thrill
To cause someone to experience a sharp sensation or feeling.
The music thrilled the audience.
Shiver
Shake, as from cold;
The children are shivering--turn on the heat!
Thrill
A pulsating or tingling sensation.
She felt a thrill of hope.
Shiver
A reflex response to chilly temperatures.
A shiver ran through me as I entered the air-conditioned room.
Thrill
To be excited or delighted by something.
He was thrilled to see his family.
Shiver
A small shaking movement.
He gave a shiver of disgust.
Shiver
To vibrate or quiver slightly.
The leaves shivered in the wind.
FAQs
Can you use shiver to describe feelings other than cold?
Yes, one can shiver from fear or intense emotions.
Is thrill always a positive feeling?
Typically yes, but it can be neutral when denoting a mere sensation.
What's the opposite of thrill?
Bore or disillusion might be considered opposites.
What causes one to shiver?
Cold, fear, or strong emotion can cause shivering.
Can a story thrill someone?
Yes, a captivating story can thrill its readers or listeners.
Is shivering a voluntary action?
No, it's typically an involuntary response.
Is a "thriller" related to the word thrill?
Yes, a "thriller" is a genre meant to excite or thrill the audience.
Do animals shiver?
Yes, animals can shiver, especially in response to cold.
Can you feel a thrill of fear?
Yes, the term "thrill" can sometimes be used in the context of fear.
Does a thrill last long?
A thrill typically denotes a sudden or brief sensation.
Is it common to shiver after a workout?
It can occur due to temperature changes or physiological responses.
Can excitement cause one to shiver?
Yes, strong emotions, including excitement, can induce shivering.
Can shiver be used metaphorically?
Yes, such as "a shiver of anticipation."
What's the main emotion associated with thrill?
Excitement is the primary emotion linked to thrill.
Can one be thrilled and scared at the same time?
Yes, for instance, during intense movies or adventurous activities.
Can warmth stop a shiver?
Yes, warmth can alleviate shivering caused by cold.
Can someone be thrilled by a simple gesture?
Absolutely, even small acts can thrill someone if they're meaningful.
Can a song thrill someone?
Yes, powerful music can evoke a thrill in listeners.
Is shivering always visible?
Mostly, but subtle shivers might not be easily noticed.
Is shivering a sign of illness?
Sometimes, shivering can indicate a fever or other medical conditions.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
