hydroplaning
|hy-dro-plan-ing|
/ˈhaɪ.drə.pleɪ.nɪŋ/
(hydroplane)
glide on water
Etymology
'hydroplane' originates from Greek-derived prefix 'hydro-' (from Greek 'hydōr' meaning 'water') combined with 'plane' as in 'aeroplane' (from French/modern English), so literally 'water-plane' or 'water-skimming craft/phenomenon'.
'hydroplane' was formed in English in the early 20th century by combining 'hydro-' + 'plane' (as in 'aeroplane') to name seaplanes and speedboats that skim the surface. The verb sense 'to hydroplane' (to skim or to lose traction on water) derived from that image and later came to be applied specifically to tires sliding on wet roads.
Initially used for vehicles or craft that skim the surface of the water (e.g. seaplanes, speedboats), the term extended to describe the phenomenon of tires skimming on a water layer; today the primary common usage often refers to the loss of traction of road vehicles on wet surfaces.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the condition in which a vehicle's tires ride on a layer of water on the road surface, causing loss of traction and control (also called aquaplaning).
Hydroplaning on the wet road caused the driver to lose control.
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Antonyms
Verb 1
present participle/gerund form of 'hydroplane': to (cause a vehicle to) skid or slide because its tires are riding on a film of water; to lose traction on a wet surface.
The car began hydroplaning when it hit a patch of standing water.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/29 16:49