English Dictionary |
FREEWHEEL
Pronunciation (US): | ![]() | (GB): | ![]() |
Dictionary entry overview: What does freewheel mean?
• FREEWHEEL (noun)
The noun FREEWHEEL has 1 sense:
1. a clutch (as on the rear wheel of a bicycle) that allows wheels to turn freely (as in coasting)
Familiarity information: FREEWHEEL used as a noun is very rare.
• FREEWHEEL (verb)
The verb FREEWHEEL has 2 senses:
1. live unhurriedly, irresponsibly, or freely
2. coast in a vehicle using the freewheel
Familiarity information: FREEWHEEL used as a verb is rare.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
A clutch (as on the rear wheel of a bicycle) that allows wheels to turn freely (as in coasting)
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("freewheel" is a kind of...):
clutch (a coupling that connects or disconnects driving and driven parts of a driving mechanism)
Conjugation: |
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Past simple: freewheeled
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Past participle: freewheeled
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-ing form: freewheeling
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Sense 1
Meaning:
Live unhurriedly, irresponsibly, or freely
Classified under:
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations
Synonyms:
drift; freewheel
Context example:
My son drifted around for years in California before going to law school
Hypernyms (to "freewheel" is one way to...):
exist; live; subsist; survive (support oneself)
Verb group:
drift (move in an unhurried fashion)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s
Derivation:
freewheeler (someone acting freely or even irresponsibly)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Coast in a vehicle using the freewheel
Classified under:
Verbs of walking, flying, swimming
Hypernyms (to "freewheel" is one way to...):
coast (move effortlessly; by force of gravity)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s PP
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