# shaken

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ˈʃeɪk(ə)n/ · frequency rank #13,059

## Definitions
1. Moved rapidly in opposite directions alternatingly.
2. Moved rapidly in opposite directions alternatingly.
3. Caused to move (and usually weakened) by a strong force.
4. Of a cask: taken to pieces which are then tied up together for transportation.
5. Of something mined such as coal or ore: broken into pieces.
6. Of timber: damaged from being cracked.
7. Chiefly of a person: having had one's composure or confidence disrupted or upset; in a state of shock or trauma.
8. Weakened by some event.

## Etymology
The verb is derived from Middle English (i)shaken, from (i- (prefix forming past participle forms of verbs)) + shaken (“to tremble, shake; etc.”) + -en (suffix forming past participle forms of verbs).
The adjective is derived from the verb.
By surface analysis, shake (verb) + -n (a variant of -en (suffix forming past participle forms of verbs; and adjectives)).

## Easily confused with
- **shan** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shaken-vs-shan)
- **Shen** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shaken-vs-shen)
- **share** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shaken-vs-share)
- **shape** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shaken-vs-shape)
- **shame** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shaken-vs-shame)
- **snake** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shaken-vs-snake)
- **stake** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shaken-vs-stake)
- **Shane** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shaken-vs-shane)
- **shave** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shaken-vs-shave)
- **Shawn** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shaken-vs-shawn)
- **shale** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shaken-vs-shale)
- **Shaun** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shaken-vs-shaun)
- **shaky** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shaken-vs-shaky)
- **sheen** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shaken-vs-sheen)
- **shared** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shaken-vs-shared)
- **shares** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shaken-vs-shares)
- **spoken** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shaken-vs-spoken)
- **shaped** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shaken-vs-shaped)
- **stakes** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shaken-vs-stakes)
- **shapes** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shaken-vs-shapes)

## Common misspellings (9)
`hsaken`, `sahken`, `shaekn`, `shakenn`, `shakken`, `shakne`, `shhaken`, `shkaen`, `sshaken`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/shaken