roller-skate

A child roller-skates in the park.

Definition

1. Noun:

   • A wheeled device for gliding: A "roller-skate" is a shoe or frame fitted with small wheels, used for gliding or moving across a hard surface, typically for recreation or sport.

2. Verb:

   • To move on roller-skates: "Roller-skate" as a verb means to travel or glide by means of roller-skates.
   • To engage in the activity of roller-skating: To participate in the recreational or competitive activity of moving on roller-skates.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • She bought a new pair of roller-skates for her birthday. (A wheeled shoe for gliding.)
  • The child fell while learning to balance on his roller-skates. (The wheeled device used for moving.)

• Verb:

  • They love to roller-skate at the park every weekend. (To move on roller-skates for enjoyment.)
  • He learned to roller-skate when he was only five years old. (To engage in the activity of moving on roller-skates.)

Advanced Usage

• "to go roller-skating": to participate in the activity of moving on roller-skates.

  • We decided to go roller-skating at the indoor rink. (We chose to engage in the sport of skating on wheels.)

• "roller-skate backwards": to move on roller-skates in a reverse direction, often a more advanced skill.

  • She can roller-skate backwards with ease. (She moves in reverse on roller-skates skillfully.)

Variants and Related Words

• Roller-skating (n): the activity or sport of moving on roller-skates.
  • Roller-skating is a popular pastime for children. (The activity of using roller-skates.)
• Roller-skater (n): a person who uses roller-skates.
  • The roller-skater performed impressive tricks. (A person engaged in roller-skating.)

Synonyms

• Skate: a general term for a device with wheels or blades for gliding.
• Inline skate: a type of skate with wheels in a single line, similar to a roller-skate but with a different configuration.

Related Idioms

• "To be on a roll": (informal) to be experiencing a series of successes, sometimes metaphorically linked to the smooth motion of skating.
  • After winning three games in a row, the team is on a roll. (They are experiencing continuous success.)