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yaw

3 synonyms for yaw, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — The rotation of a ship, aircraft, or vehicle from side to side around its vertical axis.

Synonyms

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

The rotation of a ship, aircraft, or vehicle from side to side around its vertical axis.

“Turbulence caused a noticeable yaw in the aircraft's nose.”

2. verb

To swing off course from side to side.

“The small boat yawed wildly in the crosswind.”

Etymology

Origin uncertain, first recorded in the mid-1500s; possibly linked to an Old Norse word meaning to chase or drive back and forth.

Full origin of yaw →

Frequently asked questions

What does “yaw” mean?
The word “yaw” means the rotation of a ship, aircraft, or vehicle from side to side around its vertical axis. In plain terms, swinging left and right off a straight course, or the technical term for that side-to-side rotation in ships and aircraft.
How do you pronounce “yaw”?
“Yaw” is pronounced yaw (/jɔː/ in IPA).
How do you use “yaw” in a sentence?
Here is “yaw” used in a sentence: “Turbulence caused a noticeable yaw in the aircraft's nose.”
What part of speech is “yaw”?
Depending on how it is used, “yaw” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “yaw” come from?
The word “yaw” dates back to around 1500 and comes from Old Norse. Origin uncertain, first recorded in the mid-1500s; possibly linked to an Old Norse word meaning to chase or drive back and forth.
How many meanings does “yaw” have?
“Yaw” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the rotation of a ship, aircraft, or vehicle from side to side around its vertical axis.

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Synonyms and antonyms from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA.