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to wheel

to wheel

24 4.1
To turn quickly to face a different direction
  • verb
  • /wiːl/
translation icon : girar
  • A doctor and two nurses wheel a gurney in front of them while Bob and Reed trail behind.

Examples

  • Suddenly afraid for Jack, Sally wheels around and stumbles out into the hall and up the rickety stairs.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • He had to wheel the chair around to get through the narrow doorway.

  • I got to wheel her around or...

  • Now wheel it in, just a little bit.

  • Let's wheel in your shrink, all right?

  • Then Jack started the engine and wheeled the van around in the road.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • And there's no one who would sooner wheel you than me.

  • The door opened, and Mrs. Mastrapas came in, wheeling a metal cart with a slide projector on it.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • "My God," she whispered, as he wheeled her out from the shade of the front porch awning.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Broder, disgusted with himself, swung in an arc and wheeled back toward his room.

    Fiction book (1990)

Synonyms

to spin
vsto wheel
227 1.0

To make something turn around quickly

includes sudden directional pivoting and slower turning not only high speed
to circle
vsto wheel
210 1.8

To move around something in a circle

can express changing direction suddenly on a pivot not only complete circling
to rotate
vsto wheel
144 3.0

To turn around a central point, like a wheel or planet

is more general applying to sudden or everyday turns as well as technical motion
to swirl
vsto wheel
120 2.7

To move in a twisting or circular way

tends to focus on twisting flow while the central term denotes pivot turns
to round
vsto wheel
88 3.0

Move around something following a curved path

also refers to sudden pivoting or quick turns beyond steady routing
to go around
vsto wheel
78 2.0

Move in a circle around a point, like a planet around the Sun

also covers quick direction changes and pivoting not just simple circling
to swerve
vsto wheel
61 2.8

To turn suddenly to avoid hitting something

includes sudden turns but also routine pivoting that is not avoidance
to revolve
vsto wheel
41 3.2

To make something move in a circle around a central point

can also mean sudden directional pivoting not only steady circular motion
to whirl
vsto wheel
39 2.8

To spin something quickly so it turns in circles

also covers deliberate change of direction on a pivot not only fast spinning
to spin around
vsto wheel
38 2.1

To turn your body quickly in a circle many times

can mean turning to change direction rather than only rapid self rotation
to swivel
vsto wheel
27 4.7

To turn around on a point to face a different way

involves sudden or directional change rather than only smooth pivoting
to circle around
vsto wheel
21 2.3

Move in a round path around someone or something

can mean a quick turning change as well not only nearby circling
to gyrate
vsto wheel
12 6.9

Spin around in circles or spirals

is simpler meaning ordinary turning or sudden pivot rather than elaborate spirals
to revolve around
vsto wheel
10 3.6

Move in a circle around a central object, like planets around the Sun

is broader including sudden pivot turns and other circular movements
to swing around
vsto wheel
10 3.2

Turn quickly to face the opposite direction

also covers planned or slower turns not only abrupt direction changes
to whirl around
vsto wheel
9 3.7

To move quickly in a circle, often through the air

can mean a quick pivot turn to change direction not just airborne spinning
to wheel around
vsto wheel
3 4.2

To turn quickly to face a different direction

is the shorter single word form used for the same action
to circle round
vsto wheel
3.5

Move around something or someone in a circle

also includes abrupt pivot turns and sudden directional shifts not just orbiting
to circumvolve
vsto wheel
  • Specialized
9.9

To make something turn around its center like a wheel

is the everyday expression for similar turning actions not formal technical speech

Antonyms

109 2.3

A stop in movement or activity

Stay upright in one place without moving

Idioms

To drive and be in control of a car or other vehicle

19 4.3

In charge of a situation or group and guiding what happens

9 5.1

To spend time making something that already exists instead of using it

To start working very hard to reach a goal

9.9

An action much stronger than needed against something small and harmless

To work hard and continue when things are difficult

To begin working very hard and not give up on a difficult task

Phrasal Verbs

To drive a car or have control of a situation

To suddenly take control of a steering wheel in an emergency

To turn quickly to face a different direction

3 6.9

To make deals quickly and cleverly to get an advantage

to wheel out
  • Informal
1 5.1

To show something again, often because it is already ready

To move something by making it roll on its round parts

To ride very close behind another cyclist to save energy

Compounds

A round wheel in a car or bus that the driver turns to change direction

28 2.4

A large round wheel that turns with small cars that people ride at fairs

18 2.0

A vehicle that has four wheels

third wheel
  • Informal
17 6.1

A person who feels left out when with a couple

four-wheel drive
  • Specialized
16 3.4

A system that powers all four wheels for better grip on rough or slippery ground

A round spinning wheel with numbered slots used for bets in the game of roulette

A small machine that turns wool and other fibers into yarn by hand or foot

3 3.4

A large wooden wheel with spokes and a metal rim used on a cart

fifth wheel
  • Offensive
2 7.0

A person who feels left out when others are a couple

2 3.5

A vehicle with two wheels like a bicycle or scooter

2 3.5

A large wheel turned by flowing water to power machines or lift water

A spinning flat round surface that turns clay so a potter can shape it

A round part with a rim and spokes that turns on a bicycle

1 3.2

A round chart that shows how colors are related and which colors match well

balance wheel
  • Specialized
1 7.4

A small wheel in a watch or clock that swings against a thin spring to keep accurate time

fifth wheel
  • Archaic
1 9.1

A metal part on a wagon that lets the front axle turn for steering

paddle wheel
  • Archaic
1 3.5

A large round device with boards around its edge that turns to move a boat

1 8.6

A small cylinder with prayers inside that people spin in Tibetan Buddhist prayer

big wheel
  • Informal
1 5.6

An important person who has a lot of power in a group

buffing wheel
  • Specialized
1 7.4

A wheel covered with soft cloth used to polish metal or wood

1 1.0

A round part under a car with a tire that turns to help it move

1 4.6

A large round device turned by flowing water to run machines that grind grain

grinding wheel
  • Specialized
1 3.9

A round wheel of rough material that you use to sharpen or shape metal

hamster wheel
  • Informal
1 5.5

A routine of repeated tasks that makes no progress

1 3.3

Having three wheels like a tricycle or scooter

spinning wheel
  • Specialized
1 4.2

A small circle on the screen that spins to show the computer is busy

A round firework that spins and sends out bright sparks

9.8

A round wheel with letters on spokes that prints letters on paper

daisy wheel
  • Archaic
8.6

A round wheel with letters around the edge used to print text on paper

driving wheel
  • Specialized
3.7

A wheel on a vehicle that gets power from the engine and moves the vehicle

emery wheel
  • Specialized
7.0

A hard round wheel that grinds, polishes, or sharpens metal

escape wheel
  • Specialized
8.8

A wheel with teeth in a mechanical clock or watch that controls how the gears move

An extra wheel and tire kept in a car for emergencies

9.5

A plant with tall stalks and bright yellow flowers with red or purple centers

9.9

A garden flower with long stems and yellow petals with red centers

lantern wheel
  • Specialized
9.9

A small clock gear with round bars instead of teeth

gear wheel
  • Specialized
3.5

A round wheel with teeth that fits together with another wheel to move parts or change speed

geared wheel
  • Specialized
6.3

A round wheel with teeth that fits another to change speed or direction

idle wheel
  • Specialized
7.7

A wheel that presses on a belt to guide and keep it tight without powering the belt

A wheel with teeth that a small catch lets turn in one direction

A pair of gears in a car that turn motion at a right angle

planet wheel
  • Specialized
8.1

A gear that turns around a central gear in a gearbox

A round gear with teeth that makes a row of holes in paper

tread-wheel
  • Archaic
9.9

A large wheel turned by people or animals walking inside it to power a mill

sprocket wheel
  • Specialized
6.1

A thin wheel with teeth that a chain fits on to turn parts like on a bicycle

spur wheel
  • Specialized
7.9

A wheel with straight teeth that fit another wheel to send power between parallel shafts

wheel bug
  • Specialized
9.9

A large North American insect with a wheel-shaped crest that eats other insects

wheel and axle
  • Specialized
4.2

A simple machine with a round part turning around a bar to lift things

A circular chart with a rotating disk that shows information when you turn it

A string instrument that makes sound when a wheel rubs its strings

wheel tree
  • Australian
9.9

An eastern Australian tree with shiny leaves and round clusters of bright red or orange flowers that gives shade

8.8

A situation with many connected parts that affect each other

wheel horse
  • Archaic
9.9

A strong horse that stands nearest the wheels to help pull a wagon

wheel lathe
  • Specialized
9.9

A machine that turns and shapes train wheels to make them smooth

wheel lock
  • Archaic
9.9

A gun device with a rotating wheel that makes sparks to light powder

A thin metal or wooden bar that connects the center of a wheel to its outer edge

Round and flat like a circle

worm wheel
  • Specialized
8.4

A gear that fits with a screw-shaped gear to turn movement at a right angle

How Fast

to spin
227 1.0
to wheel
24 4.1

Surface Forms

wheel infinitive
wheeled past
wheeled past participle
wheeling present participle
wheels third person singular

Etymology

The verb wheel also means 'turn around' because a wheel itself turns, so to wheel around is to change direction or move in a circle quickly.