capsize

Everyday

1. Of a boat: to turn over in the water so that the bottom is on top. tree →
2. To make a boat turn over. tree →

In the lessons

Used in sailing, water safety and stories of the sea and rivers. Safety: if a small boat capsizes, stay with the boat and hold on, and always wear a life jacket. In The Wind in the Willows Mole grabs the oars, the boat capsizes, and the Rat has to pull him out of the river.

Examples

• The little boat capsized in the strong wind. tree →
• Mole tried to row and capsized the boat. tree →
• If your canoe capsizes, hold on to it. tree →
• A big wave nearly capsized the ferry. tree →
• We practised what to do if the dinghy capsized. tree →
• Don't stand up in the boat or it will capsize. tree →
• Everyone was wearing life jackets when the raft capsized. tree →
• The children watched the toy boat capsize in the bath. tree →
• As they neared the coast of Attica a great storm burst upon them, and the ship capsized. tree →

Note

Regular verb: capsized, capsizing (drop the e before -ing). Used for boats, not cars (a car «overturns» or «rolls over»). Spelled with -ize in both UK and US English.