1 B2 neutral
To turn around quickly and sharply, especially to face the opposite direction.
"He wheeled round sharply when he heard the unexpected crash behind him."
inseparable
wheel round
B2 neutral inseparable intransitive
To turn sharply and quickly to face a new direction.
In plain English
To suddenly spin around to face the other way.
What does "wheel round" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To rotate around in the manner of a wheel.
Actually means
To suddenly spin around to face the other way.
Usage tip
Primarily British English. Functionally identical to 'wheel around.' Often used in literary or narrative prose to convey a sudden, dramatic movement. Not typically used in formal writing.
Words that pair with "wheel round"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
sharply suddenly angrily body chair
How to conjugate "wheel round"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
wheel round
I/you/we/they
3rd person
wheels round
he/she/it
Past simple
wheeled round
yesterday
Past participle
wheeled round
have + pp
-ing form
wheeling round
continuous
Hear "wheel round" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "wheel round" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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