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careen

verb

/kəˈriːn/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of careen

To tilt, sway, or lurch to one side, typically in an uncontrolled manner.
"Watch as the skateboarders careen down the hill with remarkable speed."

Detailed meaning of careen

It can also refer to the act of moving rapidly or recklessly, often with little regard for safety or caution. The term is often used in nautical contexts to describe the movement of a ship that is listing heavily to one side, as if it might capsize. Figuratively, the term can also describe the act of progressing in an unsteady or unstable manner, as if one were careening towards a disastrous outcome. In this sense, the word is often used to describe people or organizations that are acting recklessly or without proper planning, such as a business that is careening towards bankruptcy or a politician who is careening towards a political scandal.

Example sentences containing careen

1. The leaves careen through the air on a windy autumn day.
2. If you careen around the corner too fast, you might lose control of the car.
3. During the storm, the boats careen wildly in the harbor.
4. The snowboarder will careen down the mountain after making sure the path is clear.
5. The soccer players careen across the field chasing the ball.
6. Paper planes careen through the classroom, indicating the students are restless.

History and etymology of careen

The verb 'careen' has its etymological origins in the French word 'carène,' which referred to the keel of a ship. The keel is the longitudinal structure at the bottom of a boat or ship that provides stability and prevents it from capsizing. In nautical terms, 'careening' a ship involved intentionally tilting it to one side, often by leaning it on its keel, typically for maintenance purposes such as cleaning or repairing the hull. Over time, the term 'careen' made its way into English, but its meaning shifted to describe the uncontrolled tilting or swaying of a vehicle or object, often in a reckless or unstable manner. The etymology of 'careen' effectively conveys its historical connection to nautical practices and the idea of tilting, swaying, or lurching, emphasizing its role as a verb used to describe uncontrolled and often precarious movements.

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Further usage examples of careen

1. The cyclist has to careen down the steep hill to gain momentum for the next climb.
2. On water slides, people careen down twists and turns before splashing into the pool.
3. The pinball will careen around the machine, hitting various bumpers and obstacles.
4. They watch in awe as the roller coasters careen through loops and corkscrews.
5. The skaters careen across the ice with elegance and style during the performance.
6. On windy days, the kites careen through the sky, giving a sense of freedom to those flying them.
7. The children careen down the hill in their sleds, laughing and enjoying the snow.
8. The race cars careen around the track, their engines roaring loudly.
9. In video games, characters often careen through different levels, collecting items and avoiding obstacles.
10. The stuntman will careen over the ramp in a daring motorcycle jump.
11. On a high-speed chase, the agents careen through the streets, pursuing the villain.
12. The kayakers careen through the rapids, skillfully navigating the turbulent waters.
13. The car started to careen dangerously on the icy road.
14. The ship began to careen in the turbulent sea.
15. The cyclist had to brake hard to avoid careening into traffic.
16. The roller coaster made riders feel like they were careening through the sky.
17. The drunk driver careened down the street, narrowly avoiding collisions.
18. The skier lost control and careened down the steep slope.
19. The runaway shopping cart careened through the parking lot.
20. The speeding motorcyclist careened around the sharp curve.
21. The skateboarder careened down the hill, performing tricks.
22. The boat careened as it hit rough waters in the storm.
23. The driver swerved to avoid careening into the stalled car.
24. The bobsled careened down the icy track at breakneck speed.