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careen

(nautical, transitive) To heave a ship down on one side so as to expose the other, in order to clean it of barnacles and weed, or to repair it below the water line.

kəˈɹiːn186 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
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#1·Apr 27, 2026US

(nautical, transitive) To heave a ship down on one side so as to expose the other, in order to clean it of barnacles and weed, or to repair it below the water line.

Origin: , from , from , from .. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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#2·Apr 27, 2026US

(nautical, intransitive) To tilt on one side.

For parents

Careen means: To tilt on one side.. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up. For most families this word will pass by without incident; it is more a vocabulary curiosity than a parenting concern.

For ESL learners

careen means: To tilt on one side.. Register: neutral, standard English. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself. A formal-English equivalent (a synonym or descriptive phrase) is usually safer in writing. When in doubt, paraphrase rather than reuse the slang form.

Cluster: general
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#3·Apr 27, 2026US

(intransitive) To lurch or sway violently from side to side.

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