wheelie

American  

[hwee-lee, wee-] / ˈʰwi li, ˈwi- /

noun

1. a small, usually folding, metal frame with wheels for carrying luggage or small packages.

2. a maneuver in which a bicycle, motorcycle, or car has its front wheel or wheels momentarily lifted off the ground.

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wheelie British  

/ ˈwiːlɪ /

noun

1. a manoeuvre on a bicycle or motorbike in which the front wheel is raised off the ground

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Etymology

Origin of wheelie

First recorded in 1960–65; wheel + -ie

Example Sentences

Okimoto acquired a gray wheelie bag shortly after that “because I didn’t want to get the grief,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

Images circulating on social media showed the truck performing a wheelie before swerving off the track and crashing into the barriers separating the public from the track.

From Barron's • May 4, 2026

"It was very loud and sounded like two wheelie bins had been thrown at the door."

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026

"I mean I'm envious, I wish I could pop a wheelie like that. I'm just thankful I don't have boys that age."

From BBC • Mar. 6, 2026

Past the place where I broke my arm popping a wheelie.

From "Crenshaw" by Katherine Applegate