supinate

IPA/ˈsuː.pɪn.eɪt/
IPA/ˈsuː.pəˌneɪt/

supinate — verb

  • supinatepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • supinates3rd person singular
  • supinating-ing form
  • supinatedpast simple

1. to turn a hand, forearm, foot, or similar body part so its inner or lower side f

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveC2
Definition

to turn a hand, forearm, foot, or similar body part so its inner or lower side faces upward or forward

Example

The therapist asked Sari to supinate her hands until both palms faced the ceiling.

supinate + hands until palms face upward

During class, Ritu slowly supinated her forearm to balance the tray.

Common collocations
  • supinate the forearm
  • supinate the wrist
  • supinate the foot
  • fully supinate
Synonyms
  • turn

    the everyday general verb; it does not specifically describe the anatomical direction

  • rotate

    more formal and broader; often used for circular movement around an axis

  • twist

    suggests a tighter or more forceful movement than this medical term

Antonyms
  • pronate

    the opposite anatomical movement, where the palm or sole turns downward or inward

Grammar Patterns

supinate + body part

supinate + body part + until + clause

Usage Note

This sense usually takes a body part as its object, especially hand, forearm, wrist, or foot. In medical notes, it often describes the movement that makes the palm or sole face upward or forward.

Common Mistakes

Supinate your whole body toward the window.
Turn your whole body toward the window.
'Supinate' is used for a body part, not for turning the entire body.

2. to lie flat with the front of your body facing the ceiling, or to place someone

2.verbtransitive / intransitiveC2
Definition

to lie flat with the front of your body facing the ceiling, or to place someone in that position

Example

Before the scan, Darius supinated on the narrow table and kept both arms still.

supinate on + examination surface

The yoga teacher asked Tamar to supinate on the mat for a breathing exercise.

Common collocations
  • supinate on the table
  • be supinated for examination
  • remain supinated
Synonyms
  • recline

    broader and less technical; it does not always mean lying flat on the back

  • lie flat

    everyday wording that describes the position without medical precision

  • stretch out

    casual and broader; it can describe resting in many positions

Grammar Patterns

supinate on + surface

be supinated for + procedure

Usage Note

This sense often appears in passive descriptions of patient positioning before treatment, scanning, or examination. It is more technical than everyday phrases like lie on your back.

Word family

  • supination
    nounC2
  • supine
    adjectiveC2
  • supinator
    nounC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

Turn is the broad everyday verb and can describe almost any change in direction. Rotate is more formal and usually focuses on circular movement around an axis, so it fits wheels, knobs, and planets better than body-position instructions. Twist often suggests force, tightness, or discomfort. Supinate is much narrower: it is the technical anatomy term for turning the forearm, hand, or foot so the palm or sole faces upward or forward. In a clinic, a therapist may ask a patient to supinate the forearm. In ordinary conversation, most speakers would simply say turn your palm up. The opposite medical movement is pronate.

turn ↗rotate ↗twist ↗

Etymology

LatinEnglish

This verb comes from Latin supinare, meaning to bend backward or lay on the back, and it is related to supinus, meaning lying face upward. English kept it mainly as a technical term in anatomy and medicine, so it still sounds formal and is usually used for body position or limb movement rather than everyday turning.

First known use

1801

1801, in the meaning defined at transitive sense