1 C1 formal
To turn suddenly and sharply to face a new direction.
"He wheeled about when he heard his name called from across the hall."
inseparable
wheel about
C1 formal inseparable intransitive
To turn around quickly and sharply, usually to face a different direction.
In plain English
To suddenly turn around to face the other way.
What does "wheel about" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To move in a circular arc like a wheel turning.
Actually means
To suddenly turn around to face the other way.
Usage tip
More common in literary and historical writing than in everyday speech. Largely interchangeable with 'wheel around' but has a slightly more old-fashioned or formal tone. Can also describe a group of people or soldiers turning to face a new direction.
Words that pair with "wheel about"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
soldiers horse crowd person troops
How to conjugate "wheel about"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
wheel about
I/you/we/they
3rd person
wheels about
he/she/it
Past simple
wheeled about
yesterday
Past participle
wheeled about
have + pp
-ing form
wheeling about
continuous
Hear "wheel about" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "wheel about" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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