Meaning & use
hydroplan
Last updated
Meanings
verbintransitiveAmerican
For a vehicle, to slide out of control on a wet surface because the tires lose contact with the road.
Grammar: No object; often used with on: hydroplan on a wet road.
Patterns
- hydroplan on something
- hydroplan in something
The car began to hydroplan on the wet highway.
If you hydroplan, ease off the gas and steer straight.
Trucks can hydroplan even in light rain.
verbintransitivetechnical
For an aircraft, to take off from or land on water.
Grammar: No object; used for seaplanes.
Patterns
- hydroplan on something
The seaplane hydroplaned smoothly on the lake.
Pilots learn to hydroplan in calm water.
Word forms
| third person singular | hydroplans |
|---|---|
| past tense | hydroplaned |
| past participle | hydroplaned |
| -ing form | hydroplaning |
Common combinations
- hydroplan on a wet road
- Cars often hydroplan on a wet road.
- start to hydroplan
- The tires started to hydroplan in the storm.
- hydroplan at high speed
- You are more likely to hydroplan at high speed.
Synonyms and how they differ
Word family
- hydroplaning noun
- The act or condition of sliding on water.
Commonly confused: hydroplan or hydroplane?
hydroplan vs hydroplane
A hydroplane is a boat or seaplane that skims the water; hydroplan is the action of sliding.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
Choose one answer.
Hydroplan is intransitive, so it does not take a direct object. We say 'hydroplan on a wet road,' not 'hydroplan the road.'
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “hydroplan”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.