First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1roll
noun \ˈrōl\
Definition of ROLL
1
a (1) : a written document that may be rolled up : scroll; specifically : a document containing an official or formal record <the rolls of parliament> (2) : a manuscript book b : a list of names or related items : catalog c : an official list <the voter rolls>: as (1) : muster roll (2) : a list of members of a school or class or of members of a legislative body
2
: something that is rolled up into a cylinder or ball or rounded as if rolled <rolls of fat>: as a : a quantity (as of fabric or paper) rolled up to form a single package b : a hairdo in which some or all of the hair is rolled or curled up or under c : any of various food preparations rolled up for cooking or serving <cabbage rolls>; especially : a small piece of baked yeast dough d : a cylindrical twist of tobacco e : a roll of paper on which music for a player piano is recorded in perforations which actuate the keys f : a flexible case (as of leather) in which articles may be rolled and fastened by straps or clasps <jewelry roll> g (1) : paper money folded or rolled into a wad (2) slang : bankroll
4
: a wheel for making decorative lines on book covers; also : a design impressed by such a tool
Origin of ROLL
Middle English rolle, from Anglo-French roule, rolle, from Medieval Latin rolla, alteration of rotula, from Latin, diminutive of rota wheel; akin to Old High German rad wheel, Welsh rhod, Sanskrit ratha wagon
2roll
verb
: to move across the ground or another surface by turning over and over
: to turn over one or more times
: to move smoothly on wheels
Full Definition of ROLL
transitive verb
1
a : to impel forward by causing to turn over and over on a surface b : to cause to revolve by turning over and over on or as if on an axis c : to cause to move in a circular manner <they rolled their eyes at the absurdity> d : to form into a mass by turning over and over e : to impel forward with an easy continuous motion f : to cause to move in a given direction by or as if by turning a crank <rolled down the window>
2
3
: to press, spread, or level with a roller : make smooth, even, or compact <hulled and rolled oats> <roll paint> —often used with out <rolled out the dough>
4
a : to move on rollers or wheels <rolled the patient into the operating room> b : to cause to begin operating or moving <roll the cameras>
5
a : to sound with a full reverberating tone <rolled out the words> b : to make a continuous beating sound upon : sound a roll upon <rolled their drums> c : to utter with a trill <rolled his r's> d : to play (a chord) in arpeggio style
6
: to combine so as to comprise one entity —usually used in the phrase rolled into one <a shopping center, amusement park, and nightclub all rolled into one>
7
: to rob (a drunk, sleeping, or unconscious person) usually by going through the pockets; broadly : rob
8
: bowl 1
intransitive verb
1
a : to move along a surface by rotation without sliding b (1) : to turn over and over <the children rolled in the grass> (2) : to luxuriate in an abundant supply : wallow <fairly rolling in money>
2
4
a : to go forward in an easy, gentle, or undulating manner <the waves rolled in> b : to flow in a continuous stream : pour <money was rolling in> c : to flow as part of a stream of words or sounds <the names roll off your tongue> d : to have an undulating contour <rolling prairie> e : to lie extended : stretch
5
a : to travel in a vehicle <rolling north on the highway> b : to become carried on a stream c : to move on wheels
6
a : to make a deep reverberating sound <the thunder rolls> b : trill
7
a : to swing from side to side <the ship heaved and rolled> b : to walk with a swinging gait : sway
8
a : to take the form of a cylinder or ball b : to respond to rolling in a specified way
9
a : to get under way : begin to move or operate b : to move forward : develop and maintain impetus <the project finally got rolling>; especially : to proceed or progress with notable ease or success <the team was rolling>
10
: to execute a somersault
11
of a football quarterback : to run toward one flank usually parallel to the line of scrimmage especially before throwing a pass —often used with out
— roll the bones
: to shoot craps
— roll the dice
: to assume a risk by taking action <rolled the dice when they bought those stocks>
— roll with the punches
1
: to move so as to lessen the impact of blows
2
: to adjust to things as they happen
See roll defined for English-language learners
Origin of ROLL
Middle English, from Anglo-French rouler, roller, from roele wheel, rowel & roule roll
First Known Use: 14th century
Related to ROLL
- Synonyms
- agglomerate, ball, wad, round
- Antonyms
- unroll
3roll
noun
Definition of ROLL
1
a : a sound produced by rapid strokes on a drum b : a sonorous and often rhythmical flow of speech c : a heavy reverberatory sound <the roll of cannon>
2
: a rolling movement or an action or process involving such movement <a roll of the dice> <an airplane's takeoff roll>: as a : a swaying movement of the body b : a side-to-side movement (as of a ship or train) c (1) : a flight maneuver in which a complete revolution about the longitudinal axis of an airplane is made with the horizontal direction of flight being approximately maintained (2) : the motion of an aircraft or spacecraft about its longitudinal axis d : a somersault executed in contact with the ground
— on a roll
: in the midst of a series of successes : on a hot streak —sometimes used with a modifier <has been on a brilliant roll>
First Known Use of ROLL
1688
ROLLING Defined for Kids
1roll
verb \ˈrōl\
rolledroll·ing
Definition of ROLL for Kids
1
: to move or cause to move by turning over and over on a surface <The ball rolled away.>
2
: to shape or become shaped in rounded form <She rolls the dough to make cookies.>
3
: to sound with a full echoing tone or with a continuous beating sound <rolling thunder>
4
: to flow in or as if in a continuous stream <Tears came rolling. The day I had waited for so long had turned … ugly. — Wilson Rawls, Where the Red Fern Grows>
5
: to move or cause to move in a circular manner <She rolled her eyes.> <He rolled over on his back.>
6
: to go by : pass <Time rolled by.>
7
: to move with a side-to-side sway <The ship rolled.>
8
: to make smooth, even, or firm with a roller <He rolls out the dough.>
9
: to move on rollers or wheels
— roll around
: to happen again <We'll go when Friday rolls around.>
2roll
noun
Definition of ROLL for Kids
1
: something or a quantity of something that is rolled up or rounded as if rolled <a roll of tape>
2
: a small piece of baked bread dough
3
: a writing that may be rolled up : scroll
4
: an official list of names
3roll
noun
Definition of ROLL for Kids
1
: a sound produced by rapid strokes on a drum
2
: a heavy echoing sound <the roll of thunder>
3
: a movement or action that involves turning over and over or circling around
Learn More About ROLL
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