careen
/kəˈriːn/ (bre, ipa) · /kəˈriːn/ (ame, ipa) · /kə-ˈrēn/ (ame, mw)
careen — verb
- careenpresent simple I / you / we / they
- careenshe / she / it
- careenedpast simple
- careening-ing form
1. to rush forward at high speed while swerving or leaning sharply from side to sid
to rush forward at high speed while swerving or leaning sharply from side to side, as if about to lose control
The bus careened down the mountain road, its brakes screeching at every turn.
careen + down [path]
Naledi lost control and the bicycle careened straight into a hedge of thorny bushes.
careen + into [obstacle]
A runaway cart careened through the market, sending shoppers diving out of its path.
The car careened off the wet road and came to rest against a lamppost.
Javier's skateboard careened down the ramp and shot across the empty car park.
- career
implies straighter, faster forward motion without the side-to-side swerving of careen
- hurtle
emphasises being thrown or propelled at great speed
- barrel
informal; suggests fast, somewhat reckless forward movement
- speed
general term for moving fast, without any suggestion of swerving or loss of control
文法句型
careen + down/through/across/into/toward/around/off
用法筆記
Typically followed by a direction word such as down, through, across, into, toward, or around. The subject is often a vehicle or something on wheels.
常見錯誤
2. to lean, rock, or lurch unsteadily from one side to the other, as though about t
to lean, rock, or lurch unsteadily from one side to the other, as though about to tip over or fall
The old table careened on its uneven legs whenever someone leaned on it.
careen + on [unstable surface]
After three glasses of wine, Aiko careened through the restaurant, bumping into chairs.
careen + through [place] — unsteady walking
The overloaded ferry careened sharply to port as a large wave struck its side.
Grandfather careened across the icy pavement, his walking stick slipping with every step.
The stack of books careened to one side and crashed onto the library floor.
文法句型
careen + from side to side
careen + on [surface]
careen + across/through [place]
用法筆記
Often describes a person who is drunk, dizzy, or on a slippery surface, or a vehicle or object that is unstable. Distinguish from sense 1 (SPEED AND SWERVE): this sense focuses on the unsteady tilting itself, not on fast forward motion.
常見錯誤
careen — noun
1. a sudden, violent tilting or swaying movement in which something leans sharply t
a sudden, violent tilting or swaying movement in which something leans sharply to one side
The sudden careen of the ferry sent cups and plates sliding off the galley table.
the + sudden + careen + of [vehicle]
With a sharp careen, the wheelbarrow tipped and dumped the bricks onto the path.
with a sharp careen
Passengers screamed at the violent careen of the bus as it swerved past the lorry.
The careen of the ladder against the wall made everyone in the room freeze.
用法筆記
Rare. When used, it typically appears in phrases like 'a sudden careen', 'a sharp careen', or 'the careen of (something)'.