skidding
Sliding without control
Skidding is sliding without full control, especially when tires lose traction on a slick surface: The car started skidding on the ice.
The word captures that moment when momentum overrides steering—vehicles skid, feet skid on wet floors, negotiations skid off track.
To be skidding suggests movement that's become dangerously uncontrolled.
Moving smoothly across surface
- slippingLosing footing unintentionally
- hydroplaningLoss of tire grip
- fishtailingRear-end lateral oscillation
- swervingTurning sharply aside
spinning · braking · out-of-control · veering · careening · uncontrolled · jackknifing · burnout
Gliding on blades
- slidingMoving smoothly across surface
- glidingEngineless aerial movement
- frozenSolidified by extreme cold
- slickSmooth or craftily adept
winter · rink · blades · frost · freezing · de-icing · salt · sand
Secure manual hold
- frictionResistance between touching surfaces
- tireLose strength or energy
- treadSurface that grips ground
- rubberElastic polymer from trees
asphalt · pavement · adhesion · coefficient · chains · studs · grooves · compound
Water's solid form
- gravelLoose small rock fragments
- rainWater dropping from clouds
- snowFrozen crystalline precipitation
- slipperyLacking friction, hard-to-grasp
hydroplane · slick · leaves · mud · frost · aquaplaning · treacherous
Moving without purpose
- powerslideControlled sideways vehicle skid
- oversteerExcessive rear rotation
- countersteerTurning toward a skid
- gymkhanaTimed equestrian skill event
sideways · feint · angle · racetrack · motorsport · exhibition · donut · burnout
sliding
Moving smoothly across surface
- slippingLosing footing unintentionally
- hydroplaningLoss of tire grip
- fishtailingRear-end lateral oscillation
swerving · spinning · braking · out-of-control · veering · careening · uncontrolled · jackknifing · burnout · screeching
skating
Gliding on blades
- slidingMoving smoothly across surface
- glidingEngineless aerial movement
- frozenSolidified by extreme cold
slick · winter · rink · blades · frost · freezing · de-icing · salt · sand
grip
Secure manual hold
- frictionResistance between touching surfaces
- tireLose strength or energy
- treadSurface that grips ground
rubber · asphalt · pavement · adhesion · coefficient · chains · studs · grooves · compound
ice
Water's solid form
slippery · hydroplane · slick · leaves · mud · frost · aquaplaning · treacherous
drifting
Moving without purpose
- powerslideControlled sideways vehicle skid
- oversteerExcessive rear rotation
- countersteerTurning toward a skid
gymkhana · sideways · feint · angle · racetrack · motorsport · exhibition · donut · burnout
crash
Sudden violent impact
- collisionForceful contact between objects
- impactForceful contact or consequence
- wreckDestroyed vessel or vehicle
pileup · rollover · injury · emergency · ambulance · guardrail · ditch · embankment · totaled · damage
- frictionfriction, rubbing, abrading, friction burn, rolling friction
- drivingdrive, steering, driver, acceleration, motorist
- Road Safetyseatbelt, stop sign, speed limit, crosswalk, traffic light
- driving hazardspotholes, black ice, debris, road debris, icy roads
- driving weathericy roads, wet roads, slippery roads, hydroplaning, black ice
- slidingslide, glide, slip, slither, skim