shimmy
word
Definition
To shake or move your body side to side quickly, especially your hips or shoulders, often as a dance move or to wiggle through a tight space.
Usage & Nuances
'Shimmy' is informal and often related to dancing (belly dance, jazz) or moving through tight spaces ('shimmy through the gap'). Can be both verb and noun. Not to be confused with 'shake' (general movement) or 'shiver' (cold). Can describe vibration in machines too.
Example Sentences
He had to shimmy through the narrow window to get inside.
basic
Watch her shimmy—she really knows how to move her hips!
natural
The crowd laughed as he tried to shimmy under the table.
natural
She learned to shimmy in her dance class.
basic
The car started to shimmy when it hit a bump.
basic
You just gotta shimmy a little and the door will open.
natural