wedel: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare / TechnicalTechnical / Sport-specific (Skiing)
Quick answer
What does “wedel” mean?
To make a series of short, quick parallel turns in skiing.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To make a series of short, quick parallel turns in skiing.
In skiing, a technique of turning the skis from side to side with quick, short motions, often used for rhythm or control.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference; both use it in identical technical skiing contexts. Spelling remains 'wedel'.
Connotations
Technical proficiency, style, and control in downhill skiing.
Frequency
Exclusively used in skiing communities. Almost never encountered outside this domain.
Grammar
How to Use “wedel” in a Sentence
Subject (skier) + wedel (+ down + slope/run)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “wedel” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She learned to wedel beautifully on the red run.
- He wedelled his way through the fresh powder.
American English
- Watch him wedel down that steep slope!
- You need good edge control to wedel effectively.
adverb
British English
- Not standard usage.
American English
- Not standard usage.
adjective
British English
- The instructor demonstrated a wedel turn (as a compound modifier).
American English
- He has a very fluid wedel style.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Not used in general academic contexts; only in specific sports science or skiing technique literature.
Everyday
Virtually unknown unless the speaker is a skier.
Technical
Used within skiing instruction and commentary to describe a specific turning style.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “wedel”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “wedel”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “wedel”
- Using it as a general synonym for 'ski'.
- Spelling it 'waddle' (which is a different action).
- Applying it to non-skiing contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very rare, technical term used almost exclusively within the skiing community.
Informally, yes, in phrases like 'a good wedel' or 'wedel turn', but its primary and standard part of speech is verb.
It is borrowed from German, where 'wedeln' means 'to wag' (like a tail), describing the motion of the ski tails.
Yes. 'Carving' involves using the ski's edges to make clean, arcing turns. 'Wedeling' is a specific, older technique involving quicker, shorter, often un-edged or lightly-edged parallel turns where the tails of the skis 'wag'.
To make a series of short, quick parallel turns in skiing.
Wedel is usually technical / sport-specific (skiing) in register.
Wedel: in British English it is pronounced /ˈvɛd(ə)l/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈvɛd(ə)l/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Wedel your way down.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'WEDEL' sounds like 'waddle' – a duck waddles side to side, a skier wedels side to side.
Conceptual Metaphor
SKIING IS DANCING (to wedel is to dance down the slope with rhythmic steps).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would you use the word 'wedel'?