keel over

verb

keeled over; keeling over; keels over
informal
: to fall down suddenly
He just keeled over and died from a heart attack.
I almost keeled over with/in laughter.

Examples of keel over in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
One of ours, a beautiful Polish hen, just keeled over for no discernible reason. Sid Evans, Southern Living, 18 Feb. 2026 But if the old system was slanted by strategic interests, the new one has keeled over in pursuit of them. Hana Kiros, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2026 In the episode's opening scene, Alice keeled over on the organ keys, dead-eyed, with her tongue hanging out. Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Jan. 2026 Your prized gladiolus keeled over at high noon. Clarence Schmidt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Dec. 2025 When the police and EMTs arrive, Laurel announces that her husband confessed to Scotty’s murder and then keeled over from the immense guilt. Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 12 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Keel over.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/keel%20over. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

keel over

verb
: to fall suddenly (as in a faint)

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