Definition

Adjective 1. Having been turned or folded over upon itself: Describes something that has been moved by turning over and over, or something that has been formed into a cylindrical or rounded shape by being wound around itself. 2. Uttered with a rapid vibration of the tongue: Describes a speech sound, particularly the consonant 'r', produced with a rapid, repeated tap or trill of the tongue tip against the roof of the mouth. 3. (Botany) Having the margins curved inward: Especially describing petals or leaves in a bud, where the edges are curled or rolled towards the inner side.

Usage and Examples

• The baker placed the rolled dough on the baking tray. (Here, 'rolled' describes dough that has been flattened and shaped with a rolling pin.)
• She prefers the sound of a rolled 'r', as in Italian or Spanish. (Here, 'rolled' describes the manner of pronouncing the 'r' sound.)
• The flower's rolled petals protected its delicate center. (Here, 'rolled' describes the inward-curving shape of the petals.)

Advanced Usage

• Rolled gold: A technical term for a thin layer of gold bonded to a base metal.
• Rolled into one: An idiom meaning combined into a single person or thing.
  • The device is a phone, camera, and computer rolled into one.

Variants and Related Words

• Roll (verb): To move by turning over and over; to form into a cylindrical shape.
• Rolling (adjective): Having gentle, rising and falling slopes.
• Unrolled (adjective): The opposite state; something that has been opened out from a rolled form.

Synonyms

• Furled: Closely rolled and secured (e.g., a furled sail or flag).
• Coiled: Arranged in a series of loops.
• Trilled: (For speech sounds) uttered with a rapid vibration.
• Involute: (Botany) having the margins rolled inward.

Phrasal Verbs (Related to the root verb 'roll')

• Roll up: To form into a cylindrical shape by turning over the edges.
  • He rolled up his sleeves before starting work.
• Roll out: To flatten something by pressing with a roller.
  • The company will roll out the new software next month. (This is a figurative use meaning to launch.)

Related Idioms

• Rolled from the same dough: An idiom suggesting two people are very similar in character.
• A rolling stone gathers no moss: A proverb meaning a person who does not settle in one place avoids responsibilities but also fails to accumulate wealth or status.

Adjective

1. rolled up and secured
   • furled sails bound securely to the spar
   • a furled flag
   • his rolled umbrella hanging on his arm
2. uttered with a trill
   • she used rolling r's as in Spanish
3. especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward