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 

• FREEWHEEL (noun)

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)

• FREEWHEEL (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they freewheel    ... he / she / it freewheels   
Past simple: freewheeled   
Past participle: freewheeled   
-ing form: freewheeling   

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