What does wheelie mean?
A wheelie is a maneuver in which a cyclist lifts the front of a bicycle and balances briefly or extendedly on the rear wheel. The term can name the stunt itself or function as a verb describing a rider's performance of it. Wheelies are most closely associated with recreational cycling, BMX riding, bicycle trials, and demonstrations of balance and control. Although the maneuver may be attempted on ordinary bicycles, it is especially associated with bicycles designed for stunts and trick riding. A successful wheelie requires the rider to shift balance and momentum smoothly, and even a short execution can be visually striking. The related word stoppie names the reverse maneuver, in which the rider balances on the front wheel with the rear elevated. In general usage, wheelie is informal and technical enough to belong to sporting or recreational conversation but is readily understood by a broad audience.
A stunt or maneuver in which the front of a bicycle is lifted while the rider balances on the rear wheel.
"The crowd cheered when she completed the wheelie."
Usually an informal recreational or sporting term; also used in technical cycling contexts.
To ride a bicycle with the front raised, balancing on the rear wheel.
"He wheelied across the courtyard and landed smoothly."
Normally used intransitively, especially in descriptions of cycling, BMX, and stunt riding.
The plural is used when referring to multiple wheelie maneuvers.
"The riders performed several wheelies during the demonstration."
A wheelie turns the bicycle's familiar wheel into a balancing trick with one wheel doing all the work.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does wheelie come from?
Wheelie is an English word formed from wheel and the diminutive suffix -ie. It emerged in the late nineteenth century in cycling vocabulary, when riders began using the term for the trick of raising the front wheel. Its development follows the older English use of wheel and connects it with related forms such as wheelbarrow, wheelchair, and wheelwright.
Related word forms
How wheelie is actually used
Wheelie is primarily recreational or sporting vocabulary and is more common in informal contexts than in formal writing. The maneuver is associated with cycling, BMX riding, and stunt riding, although it is also sometimes used in other wheeled-sport contexts.
Easily confused with wheelie
In a wheelie the rider balances on the rear wheel with the front raised, whereas in a stoppie the bicycle balances on its front wheel with the rear raised.