Meaning of Wheelie | Babel Free

Definitions

1. An action or stunt where a bicycle, motorcycle, or other vehicle is ridden for a short period while it is standing only on its rear wheel or wheels.
   informal
2. A wheelchair user.
   Australia, informal

Equivalents

Examples

“Jim fell off his bike when he was trying to do a wheelie.”

“With them [bicycles], children can accomplish such unique and delightfully dangerous stunts as “wheelies”—that is, riding at a fast speed⟳ with the machine's front wheel raised completely above the ground.”

“Bikes are pointing their noses in the air nowadays with the help⟳ of a new gadget called the Wheelie-Bar. By attaching the device to the rear of your cycle, you can tilt back on the hind wheel; wooden skate rollers at the end⟳ of the bar let⟳ you ride⟳ high, the way stock-car dragsters do.”

“In keeping with his overall emphasis on skill, [Doug] Domokos says his most difficult trick⟳ is one he performs on solid ground. During the show⟳, you'll see⟳ him pull⟳ up the front wheel of his ATV [all-terrain vehicle], then step over the handlebars and continue⟳ the wheelie while seated on the headlight.”

“I learned how to let⟳ the clutch out slo-ow-ly so my tractor wouldn't pop a wheely and go hauling over backward.”

“The bikers pop wheelies and execute speedy figure⟳ eights along the busy street. Still, something more purposeful than joyriding would seem to be on their minds.”

“It is also a nightmare for the wheelies, or wheelchair users. Not only is it hard enough to find⟳ a bloody wheelchair in the airport these days, but to push⟳ them to this back-of-beyond gate is a job in itself.”

“Of the wheelchair users, or wheelies[…], Phil is the other group leader. He has been paraplegic for about ten years. The idea of the group leaders is that they provide⟳ support⟳ and encouragement from a position of experience⟳.”

CEFR level