Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Moving by turning over and over: Describes something that moves forward by revolving on an axis or on its surface.
   • Characterized by a continuous, undulating motion or surface: Describes land with long, gentle slopes that rise and fall in succession.
   • Uttered with a rapid, vibrating sound: Describes a speech sound, particularly the consonant 'r', produced with a rapid succession of taps or vibrations of the tongue.

2. Noun:

   • The action or motion of something that rolls: The act of propelling something on wheels or causing something to turn over and over.
   • A deep, prolonged, reverberating sound: A resonant sound, like that of thunder or large bells, that seems to continue.
   • (Slang) The act of robbing a helpless person, especially an intoxicated one: The criminal act of stealing from someone who is unable to defend themselves.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The children chased the rolling ball down the hill.
  • We drove through miles of rolling countryside.
  • She spoke with a rolling 'r' that was characteristic of her accent.

• Noun:

  • The rolling of the dice determined his fate.
  • We heard the distant rolling of thunder.
  • He was arrested for the rolling of drunk tourists.

Advanced Usage

• "to be rolling in it" (idiom): to be extremely wealthy.

  • After the IPO, the founders were rolling in it.

• "to be rolling" (slang): to be in progress or happening.

  • The project is finally rolling after months of planning.

• "to keep the ball rolling" (idiom): to ensure an activity or process continues without stopping.

  • Her energetic presentation helped keep the ball rolling during the long meeting.

Variants and Related Words

• Roll (verb/noun): The base form meaning to move by turning over or to move on wheels. Also a small bread portion or an official list.
• Rolled (adjective): Having been made to roll or formed into a cylindrical shape.
• Roller (noun): A cylinder used for rolling, crushing, or smoothing; a type of bird; a long, heavy wave.

Synonyms

• Revolving: Turning around a central point.
• Undulating: Moving with a smooth, wavelike motion.
• Reverberating: (For sound) echoing or resounding.
• Robbing: (For the criminal act) stealing from.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Roll over: To turn onto another side; to reinvest funds; to defer or extend.

  • The dog rolled over onto its back.
  • He decided to roll over his retirement savings into a new fund.

• Roll out: To officially introduce or launch a new product or service.

  • The company will roll out the new software update next month.

• Roll up: To arrive, often casually or late; to form into a cylinder.

  • He finally rolled up to the party an hour late.

Related Idioms

• A rolling stone gathers no moss: A person who does not settle in one place will not accumulate responsibilities, wealth, or sometimes, experience.

  • He's been a rolling stone his whole life, never staying in one job for more than a year.

• Set the ball rolling / Start the ball rolling: To begin an activity or process.

  • She set the ball rolling by asking the first question.

Adjective

1. uttered with a trill
   • she used rolling r's as in Spanish

Noun

1. propelling something on wheels
2. the act of robbing a helpless person
   • he was charged with rolling drunks in the park
3. a deep prolonged sound (as of thunder or large bells)