Vocabulary Spotlight
Careen
Part of Speech: Verb
Definition: To move swiftly and in an uncontrolled way in a specific direction.
“The car began to careen down the hill, barely under control.”
Pronunciation
[kuh-reen]
Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Words
Synonyms
Swerve
Hurtle
Rush
Tilt
Antonyms
Halt
Balance
Slow
Straighten
Related Words
Tumble
Veer
Word Origin
“Careen” originates from the Latin “carina,” meaning “keel.” It originally referred to tilting a ship on its side for maintenance and later evolved to describe any unsteady, swerving movement.
Word Family
Verb: Careen – To move in a swerving or uncontrolled manner.
Noun: Careening – The act of moving erratically or out of control.
Related Adjective: Careening – Moving quickly in an unstable way.
Mnemonics
Think of “Careen” as “Care + Err” – moving in a way that is full of error or danger, often out of control.
Industry-specific Usage
Maritime
In maritime contexts, “careen” means to tilt a ship to one side for repairs or cleaning.
Automotive
In automotive contexts, careening refers to a vehicle moving out of control or in a swerving manner.
Aviation
Pilots may use careen to describe an aircraft swerving or moving unsteadily, especially during turbulence.
In Context
Careen is often used to describe movement that is quick but not controlled, adding a sense of urgency or danger. In literature and storytelling, it creates a sense of excitement, speed, or even peril.