Definition

To move swiftly and uncontrollably, often tilting or swerving to one side.

Example

The car careened down the hill, narrowly missing the trees.

Tense Forms

Conversation

Did you see how fast that car was going down the street?

Yeah, it looked like it was going to careen off the road!

I know, right? I thought it was going to hit something for sure.

Luckily, it swerved just in time!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Definition

The act of tilting or leaning a ship on its side to clean or repair the hull.

Example

The crew prepared to careen the ship for maintenance.

Conversation

Did you hear about the ship's careen during the storm last week?

Yeah, it was quite a sight!

I can't imagine how scary it must have been to see a careen like that.

Definition

To cause a ship to lean to one side, often for maintenance or repair.

Example

The crew had to careen the ship to fix the damaged hull.

Tense Forms

Conversation

Did you see how they had to careen the boat to fix the hull?

Yeah, I watched them tilt it to one side; it looked pretty intense!

I didn't realize that was part of the maintenance process.

Root Explanation

Careen → It originates from the Middle English 'caren' (meaning to tilt or lean), which is derived from the Old French 'cariner' (meaning to put a ship on a beach). The word 'careen' means to tilt or lean over, especially in reference to a ship being placed on its side for maintenance or repair.

Memory Tip

Imagine a ship being 'tilted' or 'leaned' over ('cariner') to be worked on — that's why careen means to tilt or lean.

Visually Confused Words