Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
🚲 A one-wheel bike 🚲 To ride one wheel
unicycle

unicycle

8 6.0
A vehicle with one wheel that you ride by using pedals and keeping balance
  • noun
  • /ˈjuːnɪˌsaɪkəl/
translation icon : monociclo
  • The street performer amazed the crowd by riding a unicycle while juggling three flaming torches.
  • ride a unicycle
  • unicycle club
  • unicycle-riding

Ride this unicycle in a circle around the table without stopping.

Examples

  • I fell off my unicycle.

    Stuck on You (2003)

  • And I once rode a unicycle in a tutu.

    Dr. Dolittle 2 (2001)

  • I got my unicycle a couple of days ago!

    Blog text (16)

  • I can ride a unicycle.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • Ride this unicycle in a circle around the table without stopping.

    First We Feast

  • The researchers had someone in a clown suit ride a unicycle.

    Blog text (26)

  • Fun on a unicycle.

    Time Bandits (1981)

  • "I do animal balloons, juggle, ride a unicycle," and he performs mainly at birthday parties, fairs, and festivals.

    Blog text (22)

  • 4) Puff juggles three balls while riding a unicycle.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • Instead, there was a tall, gangly fellow, sporting suspenders, who juggled brightly colored balls while zigzagging on a unicycle.

    Fiction book (1996)

Synonyms

monocycle
vsunicycle
1 7.9

A bike with one wheel that you pedal and balance on

means the same but functions as an alternative name or term

Antonyms

bicycle
280 1.0

A vehicle with two wheels that you pedal

tricycle
22 1.0

A small bike with three wheels that you pedal, often for children

How Many Wheels

car
∞ 1.0
tricycle
22 1.0
bicycle
280 1.0
unicycle
8 6.0

Surface Forms

unicycle singular
unicycles plural

Morphology

unicycle = cycle (transparent) = uni + cycle

The parts 'uni-' (one) + 'cycle' (vehicle/wheel) directly yield the meaning 'a single-wheel cycle', which is straightforward for learners.

Etymology

Unicycle comes from two simple parts: uni- meaning 'one' and cycle meaning 'wheel', the same cycle in bicycle. So a unicycle is literally a 'one-wheel' vehicle, which is why you must balance while riding it.