shakeshakeshakesshookshakingshakenverb (shakes, shaking, shook/, has shaken)to move quickly from side to side or up and down; to make something do this: The house shakes when trains go past. He was shaking with fear. Shake the bottle before opening it. An explosion shook the windows.shake handsto hold somebody's hand and move it up and down when you meet themshake your headto move your head from side to side to say ‘no’