bike
bike
Pronunciation
bike: /baɪk/
bi-: /baɪ/ (as in "buy")
-ke: /k/ (as in "kite")
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: bike
Plural Noun: bikes
Present Tense Verb (Base Form): bike
Present Tense Verb (3rd Person Singular): bikes
Present Participle/Gerund: biking
Past Tense Verb: biked
Past Participle: biked
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A two-wheeled vehicle propelled by pedals and steered with handlebars, typically with rubber tires and a frame.
Synonyms: bicycle, cycle, two-wheeler
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; one might consider "car" or "motorcycle" as contrasting forms of transport but not true antonyms for the concept of a pedal-powered two-wheeler.)
Slang: A motorcycle.
Synonyms: motorcycle, hog (slang), chopper (slang), crotch rocket (slang)
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; perhaps "car" or "truck" as different types of motor vehicles.)
Verb
To ride a bicycle.
Synonyms: cycle, pedal, ride (a bike)
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; one might consider "drive" or "walk" as alternative modes of travel, but not true antonyms for the act of riding a bike.)
To transport oneself or something by means of a bicycle.
Synonyms: cycle, pedal, transport by bike
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms.)
Examples of Use
Books:
"He spent his childhood biking through the winding country lanes, feeling the wind whip through his hair and the sun on his face." (Fictional novel, author's internal narration)
"The protagonist, a determined young woman, sets out on a cross-country bike trip to raise awareness for environmental causes." (Adventure novel, plot description)
Newspapers:
"Nairobi's city council has announced plans to expand its network of dedicated bike lanes to encourage sustainable transportation." ( Daily Nation, Headline and article body)
"A charity bike ride raised over KES 5 million for local orphanages last weekend, with hundreds of participants pedaling for a good cause." (The Standard, Community News Section)
Online Publications:
"Is the new electric mountain bike from XYZ brand worth the hefty price tag? We put it to the test." (Tech website, product review article)
"The best bike routes in the Rift Valley for an unforgettable cycling holiday." (Travel blog, article title)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" features an iconic scene where Elliott and E.T. fly through the air on a bike. (Movie scene)
Television Series: "Stranger Things" often depicts the young characters riding their bikes through the fictional town of Hawkins. (TV show plot/character action)
Music: "Pink pedal pushers, all the girls are dressed up like boys, bike riders..." (Lyrics from a song by The Smiths, "This Charming Man")
Video Games: Many open-world video games, like "Grand Theft Auto V," allow players to ride various types of bikes around the virtual environment. (Gameplay mechanic)
Social Media: "Just finished a 50km bike ride! Feeling epic! #cyclinglife #fitness" (Instagram post by a user)
General Public Discourse:
"I think I'll bike to work tomorrow to avoid the traffic." (Casual conversation between friends)
"Do you prefer a road bike or a mountain bike for trails?" (Discussion among cycling enthusiasts)
"My kid just learned to ride their bike without training wheels, I'm so proud!" (Parent sharing news with a neighbor)
10 Famous Quotes Using Bike
"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving." (Albert Einstein)
"I thought of that while riding my bike." (Albert Einstein, when asked how he came up with the theory of relativity)
"When you're cycling, it's not about the destination, it's about the journey. But it helps if the journey is downhill and you have a tailwind." (Attributed to various cyclists, a common cycling joke)
"Don't buy upgrades, ride up grades." (Eddy Merckx, famous cyclist, emphasizing training over equipment)
"A bicycle ride around the world begins with a single pedal stroke." (Scott Stoll)
"Get a bike. You won't regret it. Unless you get run over. Then you will regret it." (Anonymous, internet humor)
"I still feel that I am a beginner, and I have a long way to go. But I'm going to keep on riding my bike." (Lance Armstrong, from an interview before his scandal)
"My two favorite things in life are bikes and books." (Unknown, a common sentiment among enthusiasts of both)
"Crashing is part of cycling. If you don't crash, you're not going fast enough." (Attributed to various professional cyclists, emphasizing the aggressive nature of racing)
"The bike is a great equalizer. It doesn't care if you're rich or poor, black or white, male or female. It just asks that you pedal." (Inspired by various pro-cycling advocates)
Etymology
The word "bike" is actually a shortened, informal version of the word "bicycle."
Let's break down where "bicycle" comes from:
"Bi-": This part comes from Latin and simply means "two." Think of words like "bilingual" (two languages) or "binoculars" (two eyes).
"-cycle": This part comes from a Latinized form of the Greek word "kyklos," which means "circle" or "wheel."
So, "bicycle" literally means "two wheels."
The term "bicycle" first appeared in English print around 1868. Before that, similar two-wheeled vehicles had various names like "velocipede," "dandy horse," or "hobby-horse." These early versions often didn't have pedals; riders would push off the ground with their feet.
As for "bike" itself, it came into common use as a shortened version of "bicycle" in American English around 1882. It's a natural way for language to evolve, making longer words quicker and easier to say. Over time, "bike" also started being used to refer to "motorcycle" (around 1903) because it also has two wheels, even though it's motor-powered.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Bike
On your bike! (An informal, somewhat impolite way of telling someone to leave or go away quickly.)
Get on your bike. (Similar to the above, telling someone to get moving or get started on something.)
Bike-friendly. (Describes places, facilities, or policies that are accommodating or safe for cyclists.)
Spinning your wheels. (An idiom using a synonym 'wheels' to mean expending effort without making progress, like a bike wheel spinning on ice.)
A cycle of violence/poverty. (Uses the synonym 'cycle' to mean a recurring series of events.)
Full-on bike nut. (An original phrase describing someone who is extremely enthusiastic about bikes and cycling.)
Take a bike trip. (A straightforward phrase meaning to go on a journey using a bicycle.)
Hit the bike trails. (An original phrase meaning to go cycling on designated off-road paths.)
Grease the gears. (A metaphorical idiom using a bike part to mean to make something run smoothly or to facilitate a process.)
Chain reaction. (An idiom that, while not directly about bikes, uses a bike part to describe a series of events where each event causes the next.)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of bike from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
