Meaning & use
barrelling
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“barrelling” is a form of “barrel”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbintransitiveinformal
Moving very quickly and often uncontrollably in a specified direction.
Grammar: Usually used in progressive tenses: is barrelling, was barrelling. Often followed by along, down, through.
Patterns
- barrelling along
- barrelling down something
- barrelling through something
The truck came barrelling down the hill.
She went barrelling through the crowd to catch the bus.
The kids were barrelling along the beach, laughing.
verbtransitivetechnical
Putting something into a barrel or barrels.
Grammar: Takes an object: barrelling the wine.
Patterns
- barrelling something
- barrelling the wine
They are barrelling the wine for aging.
The workers were barrelling the pickles.
Common combinations
- barrelling down the road
- A car came barrelling down the road.
- barrelling along
- The train was barrelling along at full speed.
- barrelling through
- He went barrelling through the door.
Synonyms and how they differ
- racing
- Racing suggests competition or speed; barrelling often implies less control.
- charging
- Charging suggests a forceful forward movement; barrelling is more about speed and momentum.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: barrelling or brawling?
barrelling vs brawling
Brawling means fighting noisily; barrelling means moving fast.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'barrelling' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Barrelling down the street' means moving quickly along the street. The other options misuse 'barrelling' because they don't describe fast movement or putting into barrels.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “barrelling”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.