seesaw
Elementary (A2)
IPA: //ˈsiːsɔː//
KK: /ˈsiːsɔː/
intransitive verb
Definition
To move in a way that goes up and down or back and forth, like a seesaw does when two people play on it.
Example
The children love to seesaw at the park during recess.
Tense Forms
Past: seesawed
Past Participle: seesawed
Conversation
I love going to the park and watching the kids seesaw on the playground.
It looks like so much fun! I used to enjoy that when I was younger.
Me too! There's something so joyful about how they seesaw back and forth.
Absolutely! It brings back great memories of carefree days.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
oscillate
sway
wobble
Antonyms
stabilize
remain
steady
noun
Definition
A long board that is balanced in the middle, allowing one end to go up while the other goes down when people sit on each end.
Example
The children played on the seesaw at the park, taking turns going up and down.
Conversation
Did you have fun at the park yesterday?
Yeah, I loved playing on the seesaw with my sister!
That sounds like a blast! I haven't been on a seesaw in ages.
Root Explanation
The word 'seesaw' originates from the combination of 'see' (from Old English 'seon', meaning to perceive or look at) and 'saw' (from Old English 'sawian', meaning to cut or saw). The term describes a back-and-forth motion, akin to the action of looking and cutting alternately, as one side goes up while the other goes down on a seesaw.
Memory Tip
Imagine the action of 'seeing' something go up and down, like a person looking ('see') while the other side is being 'cut' or lowered ('saw'). This helps you remember that a seesaw is a playful device that moves up and down.
Visually Confused Words
No commonly confused words.