capsize

UK/kæpˈsaɪz/US/ˈkæpsaɪz/

verbB2+Rare in speech; mostly a word you read · #12,622 of 15,258neutral

Other forms: capsized, capsizing, capsizes

To capsize is to turn a boat right over. The dinghy capsized, capsize in the swell, a capsized ferry.

In a small sailing boat it is routine and part of learning, and the drill is to climb onto the centreboard and lever it back up. In a ship it is catastrophic, and the usual causes are free water moving on a deck or a load shifting.

Definitions of capsize

1verbcapsizeTo turn a boat right over.B2+
“A sudden wave capsized the canoe, and we both fell into the river.”

capsize is an overturning.

Where it comes from

Recorded from 1788, of unknown origin, possibly from a Spanish word meaning to sink by the head.

Attested since 1788. Origin unknown. Possibly related to Spanish chapuzar (“to sink by the head”).

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA

Practised in Sea & Sailing

Practise this word

capsize in the wild

When it does capsize into a traditional noose, it can jam against the rod, making it much more difficult to release.
Marlinespike hitch
The act of recovering a vessel from a capsize is called righting.
Capsizing
The loss of control from either cause usually leaves the vessel beam-on to the sea, and in more severe cases the rolling moment may cause a capsize.
Broach (nautical)
Measures can be taken to prevent a capsize (where the boat is knocked over on its beam-ends but not yet inverted) from becoming a turtle (with bottom up).
Turtling (sailing)
If a listing ship goes beyond the point where a righting moment will keep it afloat, it will capsize and potentially sink.
Angle of list

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From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. These sentences were written by other people about their own subjects; they are here to show the word at work, not as anybody’s opinion.

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