# shimmy

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈʃɪ.mi/ · frequency rank #44,485

## Definitions
1. A dance move involving thrusting the shoulders back and forth alternately.
2. A dance that was popular in the 1920s.
3. An abnormal vibration, especially in the wheels of a vehicle.
4. A sleeveless chemise.

## Etymology
A back-formation from chemise (mistaken for a plural).

## Easily confused with
- **shiny** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shimmy-vs-shiny)
- **slimy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shimmy-vs-slimy)
- **Simms** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shimmy-vs-simms)
- **shitty** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shimmy-vs-shitty)
- **Shimon** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shimmy-vs-shimon)
- **skimpy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shimmy-vs-skimpy)
- **shim** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shim-vs-shimmy)
- **Sammy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sammy-vs-shimmy)
- **shifty** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shifty-vs-shimmy)
- **shimmer** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shimmer-vs-shimmy)

## Common misspellings (8)
`hsimmy`, `shhimmy`, `shimmyy`, `shimy`, `shimym`, `shmimy`, `sihmmy`, `sshimmy`

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