bicycle
8 synonyms and 0 antonyms for bicycle, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A two-wheeled vehicle steered with handlebars and powered by pedaling.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use bicycle
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
Borrowed from French bicycle, from "bi-" ("two") plus "cycle" ("wheel," from Greek kuklos). First recorded in French in 1847 and in English by 1868.
Full origin of bicycle →Frequently asked questions
What does “bicycle” mean?
The word “bicycle” means a two-wheeled vehicle steered with handlebars and powered by pedaling. In plain terms, a pedal-powered two-wheeled vehicle, or the act of riding one.
How do you pronounce “bicycle”?
“Bicycle” is pronounced BEYE-sihkl (/ˈbaɪsɪk(ə)l/ in IPA).
How do you use “bicycle” in a sentence?
Here is “bicycle” used in a sentence: “She rode her bicycle to work every morning.”
What is another word for “bicycle”?
Words with a similar meaning to “bicycle” include wheel, bike, celeripede, cycle and velocipede.
What part of speech is “bicycle”?
Depending on how it is used, “bicycle” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “bicycle” come from?
The word “bicycle” dates back to around 1847 and comes from French. Borrowed from French bicycle, from "bi-" ("two") plus "cycle" ("wheel," from Greek kuklos). First recorded in French in 1847 and in English by 1868.
Is “bicycle” a common word?
“Bicycle” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “bicycle” have?
“Bicycle” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a two-wheeled vehicle steered with handlebars and powered by pedaling.
What is the difference between a bicycle and a bike?
They usually mean the same thing: bike is simply the informal shortening of bicycle, the two-wheeled vehicle steered with handlebars and powered by pedalling. The one caution is that bike can also mean motorcycle in casual speech, so bicycle is the unambiguous choice when precision matters.
Why is it called a bicycle?
The word combines the prefix bi-, meaning 'two,' with a Greek-derived element meaning 'wheel' or 'circle.' A bicycle is literally a 'two-wheeler,' which distinguishes it from the tricycle (three wheels) and the unicycle (one wheel).
Is it correct to say 'bicycling' rather than 'cycling'?
Yes — to bicycle is a proper verb meaning to ride or travel by bicycle, so 'she bicycles to work' is correct. In everyday speech, though, cycle and bike are far more common as verbs, and bicycling can sound slightly formal.
Do you ride or drive a bicycle?
In English you ride a bicycle: 'she rides her bike to school.' Drive is reserved for motor vehicles you sit inside, such as cars and trucks, while ride is used for bicycles, motorcycles, and horses.