Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

freewheel

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: 1.96 in modern English

Syllables: free-wheel
IPA

18

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

2

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A device in a transmission that disengages the driveshaft from the driven shaft when the driven shaft rotates faster than the driveshaft.

noun

The mode or state of operation thus produced: Synonym of neutral.

verb

Of a gear, to continue spinning after disengagement.

Intransitive verb

verb

Of a cyclist, to ride a bicycle without pedalling, e.g. downhill.

Intransitive verb

verb

Of a motorist, to operate a motor vehicle which is coasting without power, e.g. downhill.

verb

To operate free from constraints.

Example Sentences

"On her elderly bicycle with the basketwork carrier on the handle-bars, Dorothy free-wheeled down the hill, doing mental arithmetic with three pounds nineteen and fourpence--her entire stock of money until next quarter-day."
"Silently and gracefully I free-wheeled across the path of three juggernauts, [...] glided across the hard shoulder and came to rest halfway up a grass bank."

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *preyH- Proto-Indo-European *-ós Proto-Indo-European *priHós Proto-Germanic *frijwaz Proto-West Germanic *friu Old English frēo Middle English fre English free Proto-Indo-European *kʷelh₁-redup. Proto-Indo-European *-os Proto-Indo-European *kʷekʷléh₂ Proto-Germanic *hweulō Old English hwēol Middle English whel English wheel English freewheel From free + wheel.

Usage

Intransitive verb

Inflected Forms

freewheels (plural) free wheel (alternative) freewheels (present, singular) freewheeling (participle, present) freewheeled (participle, past) freewheeled (past)

Derived Forms

freewheeler

Frequently Paired Words

neutral overdrive

Synonyms

drift

Questions

What does freewheel mean?: A device in a transmission that disengages the driveshaft from the driven shaft when the driven shaft rotates faster than the driveshaft.
Where does freewheel come from?: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *preyH- Proto-Indo-European *-ós Proto-Indo-European *priHós Proto-Germanic *frijwaz Proto-West Germanic *friu Old English frēo Middle English fre English free Proto-Indo-European *kʷelh₁-redup. Proto-Indo-European *-os Proto-Indo-European *kʷekʷléh₂ Proto-Germanic *hweulō Old English hwēol Middle English whel English wheel English freewheel From free + wheel.

How to pronounce freewheel

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