aquaplanes
|a-qua-plane|
/ˈækwəpleɪn/
(aquaplane)
water sliding
Etymology
'aquaplane' originates from Latin, specifically the element 'aqua' meaning 'water', combined with English 'plane' (from Latin 'planus') meaning 'flat' or 'level'.
'aquaplane' was coined in the early 20th century by analogy with 'aeroplane' (Greek/Latin 'aero-' + 'plane') to describe a flat device used on water; it entered English as the compound 'aquaplane' and later produced verb senses (to aquaplane).
Initially it referred specifically to the flat board or tube used for being towed on water; over time the word also developed verb senses, including the related sense of vehicles 'hydroplaning' on wet surfaces.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural form of 'aquaplane': a flat board, or an inner tube, towed behind a motorboat on which a person rides across the surface of the water.
The aquaplanes at the rental dock were in high demand on hot summer days.
Synonyms
Verb 1
third-person singular present form of 'aquaplane' meaning 'to ride on an aquaplane behind a boat' (i.e., to skim over the water while being towed).
Every summer he aquaplanes behind his uncle's speedboat.
Synonyms
Verb 2
third-person singular present form of 'aquaplane' meaning 'to hydroplane' (of a vehicle: to skid or lose traction on a wet surface because a layer of water prevents direct contact with the road).
On the flooded stretch of highway, the sedan aquaplanes and the driver struggles to steer.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/29 13:34