What does cartwheeling mean?
Cartwheeling is the act of performing a cartwheel — an acrobatic manoeuvre in which a person turns sideways through the air, placing first one hand, then the other, on the ground while the legs swing overhead in a wide arc before returning to standing. Named for its resemblance to the turning of a spoked wheel, it is strongly associated with childhood play, gymnastics, cheerleading, and martial arts. Beyond the literal sense, the word is frequently used figuratively: journalists write of cars or cyclists 'going cartwheeling' after collisions, evoking uncontrolled, violent rotation. The tone is generally informal and vivid, carrying connotations of energy, exuberance, or chaos depending on context. The term derives simply from the compound 'cartwheel' — the large wooden wheel of a cart — with 'cart' from Old Norse and 'wheel' from Old English 'hweol', itself rooted in the ancient Indo-European word for circle that also gave us 'cycle'.
To perform a cartwheel; to move by turning over sideways with the hands and feet touching the ground alternately. Also, to be thrown or spin violently end over end.
"The gymnast was cartwheeling effortlessly across the mat."
Often used figuratively of vehicles or bodies in violent motion.
An instance of cartwheeling; a single performance of the acrobatic movement.
"Her final cartwheeling drew applause from the crowd."
The word is exactly what it describes: a wheel made of a cart's body — your own limbs become the spokes as you roll over.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of cartwheeling
The word derives from 'cartwheel', the compound of 'cart' (borrowed from Old Norse 'kartr') and 'wheel' (from Old English 'hweol'), named because the human body resembles a wheel turning on its axle. The verb 'to cartwheel' arose by conversion from the noun, attested from the late 19th century, with 'cartwheeling' as its present participle. The element 'wheel' ultimately descends from the Proto-Indo-European root *kwel-, meaning 'to revolve', which also produced Greek 'kyklos' (source of 'cycle' and 'cyclone') and Sanskrit 'chakra'.
Related word forms
How cartwheeling is actually used
Mostly informal and often associated with childhood play or gymnastics. The figurative use for vehicles or people being thrown violently is common in journalism and adds dramatic force.
Easily confused with cartwheeling
Carousing/carouselling means drinking and merrymaking, whereas cartwheeling refers to the acrobatic sideways somersault.