roll
roll — verb
- rollpresent simple I / you / we / they
- rollshe / she / it
- rolledpast simple
- rolling-ing form
1. to change position across the ground by spinning, so that the leading and traili
to change position across the ground by spinning, so that the leading and trailing parts of a round object, or the head and feet of a person, repeatedly swap places while moving in a given direction.
Emre watched the orange ball roll down the hill and into the street.
roll + adv/prep: down + into
The children took turns to roll a large tyre across the field.
transitive: roll + noun + adv/prep
Nadia rolled the coin across the table towards her brother.
A small stone rolled off the cliff and landed in the river below.
The kitten rolled onto its back and played with a piece of string.
intransitive: roll onto [body part]
- roll down
- roll off
- roll across
- roll onto
Grammar Patterns
roll + adv/prep
roll + noun + adv/prep
Usage Note
Frequently followed by a preposition or adverb (down, off, across, onto) that specifies direction. The intransitive form describes the object's own motion; the transitive form means someone causes the motion.
Common Mistakes
2. to move ahead in a smooth, even way without jerks or halts — like a car coasting
to move ahead in a smooth, even way without jerks or halts — like a car coasting downhill, water running in a channel, or smoke drifting on the breeze.
Jin rolled his suitcase along the platform to reach the train.
transitive: roll + noun + along
Thick fog rolled across the valley after the sun went down.
intransitive + adv/prep (fog as subject)
The river rolls gently through the farmland towards the sea.
The old car rolled to a stop at the bottom of the hill.
roll to a stop — fixed phrase
Tears rolled down Maeve's cheeks as she read the letter.
- roll along
- roll across
- roll to a stop
- roll gently
Grammar Patterns
roll + adv/prep
roll + noun + adv/prep
Usage Note
Subject is often a vehicle, a body of water, fog or smoke, or tears. Unlike sense 1, there is no turning over; the entire object glides or flows as a whole.
Common Mistakes
3. to lean repeatedly from one side to the other and back again, describing the mov
to lean repeatedly from one side to the other and back again, describing the movement of a ship, aircraft, or vehicle when pushed by wind or waves.
The ship rolled heavily as the storm broke over the deck.
intransitive: ship rolls in bad weather
The small plane began to roll from side to side in the strong wind.
roll from side to side
Even large boats roll a little when big waves hit the side.
The ferry rolled gently as it crossed the channel between the islands.
- roll heavily
- roll from side to side
- roll in the waves
Grammar Patterns
roll (with no object — describes the vehicle)
Usage Note
Distinct from 'pitch' (front-to-back tilt) and 'yaw' (left-right swivel of the nose). Only 'roll' describes side-to-side leaning. Common in weather reports and travel stories.
Common Mistakes
4. to begin functioning or moving, especially of cameras, printing equipment, or pr
to begin functioning or moving, especially of cameras, printing equipment, or production lines; or to cause such equipment to start.
The camera crew started rolling the moment the actor spoke.
transitive: roll a camera = start filming
The printing press was already rolling by the time I arrived.
intransitive: machine rolls = is running
The technicians got the production line rolling after the power cut.
get [something] rolling = start it
The film crew kept the cameras rolling while the director explained the scene.
- start rolling
- get rolling
- keep rolling
- already rolling
Grammar Patterns
roll (machine as subject)
roll + noun (start the machine)
Usage Note
Common in film production ('rolling' = the camera is recording). Also used for any industrial or mechanical process. 'Get rolling' is a fixed informal phrase meaning 'start'.
5. to move your eyes upward in a circular motion as a way of showing that you find
to move your eyes upward in a circular motion as a way of showing that you find something or someone stupid, annoying, or not worth taking seriously.
Felipe rolled his eyes when his friend told the same joke again.
roll + possessive + eyes + at/about [trigger]
Kemi rolled her eyes at her brother's silly excuse for being late.
The whole class rolled their eyes when the teacher announced extra homework.
The librarian rolled her eyes as the students whispered loudly during the test.
informal register: expresses frustration
- roll your eyes
- roll one's eyes at
Grammar Patterns
roll + possessive + eyes
Usage Note
The object is always a possessive determiner + 'eyes' ('my eyes', 'his eyes', 'their eyes'). The phrase is informal and often considered rude in formal settings. Cannot be used with a different body part.
Common Mistakes
6. to turn or wind a flat, flexible object over itself repeatedly so that it become
to turn or wind a flat, flexible object over itself repeatedly so that it becomes a tube, ball, or neat bundle, or to cover something by wrapping it in this way.
Théo rolled his wet towel into a tight ball before packing it.
roll + noun + into a ball/tube
Christopher rolled up his sleeves and began to knead the dough.
roll up = fold upward (clothing)
The yoga mat was rolled tightly by Eve and stored in the corner.
passive: was rolled by [person]
Before Vikram carried the carpet to the storage room, he carefully rolled it.
before-clause + main clause with rolled
After finishing the hike, Aaron rolled the sleeping bag and secured it with a strap.
temporal subordinate clause + main clause with rolled
- roll up
- roll into
- roll out
- roll tightly
- unroll
to open out something that was rolled up
Grammar Patterns
roll + noun + up/down/into
roll + noun + adv/prep
Usage Note
Often used with particles: 'roll up' (fold upward, as with sleeves or blinds), 'roll into' (form into a ball or cylinder), 'roll out' (unfurl, the opposite action). Sense 6 contrasts with sense 1 because the object does not travel across a surface — instead it changes shape.
Common Mistakes
7. to create a cigarette by placing a small amount of tobacco on a thin paper, then
to create a cigarette by placing a small amount of tobacco on a thin paper, then wrapping and twisting the paper closed by hand
At the party, Bao showed his cousin how to roll a cigarette with one hand.
roll + cigarette (the making, not the smoking)
Naoko bought rolling papers from the corner shop but had trouble rolling them neatly.
Instead of buying packs, Yasmin prefers to roll her own cigarettes using loose tobacco.
contrast with buying ready-made
The old fisherman rolled a cigarette and lit it while watching the sunset.
- roll a cigarette
- roll one's own
Grammar Patterns
roll + cigarette
Usage Note
Object is always 'a/one's cigarette' or a closely related noun like 'one's own'. Not used for machine-made cigarettes.
Common Mistakes
8. to shorten a sleeve, trouser leg, or similar garment item by turning its lower e
to shorten a sleeve, trouser leg, or similar garment item by turning its lower edge upward and pressing the folded material against itself
Nellie rolled up the sleeves of her shirt before washing the dishes.
roll up + clothing item
Lan rolled the cuffs of his trousers to keep them dry in the puddles.
These linen trousers do not roll well because the fabric is too stiff.
intransitive use with 'well'
The tailor showed Greta how to roll the hem of the dress evenly.
- roll up one's sleeves
- roll up one's trousers
- roll up a hem
- unroll
to open out what was folded
Grammar Patterns
roll + up + noun phrase
roll + adverb/preposition
Usage Note
Often used with the particle 'up'. The intransitive form is less common and usually needs an adverb like 'well' or 'easily'.
Common Mistakes
9. to press and flatten a surface by moving a heavy cylindrical object such as a ro
to press and flatten a surface by moving a heavy cylindrical object such as a roller or rolling pin over it
After spreading the dough, Layla rolled it flat with a wooden pin.
roll + dough + flat (resultative adjective)
The groundskeeper rolled the cricket pitch to make it smooth for the match.
Before laying the turf, Hiro rolled the soil until it was completely level.
roll + ground/soil with heavy roller
Ari rolled the wet clay with a pin to create an even slab for pottery.
- roll dough flat
- roll the lawn
- roll the pitch
Grammar Patterns
roll + noun phrase + flat/out
Usage Note
Frequently used with a resultative adjective such as 'flat', 'thin', or 'level' to describe the outcome of pressing.
Common Mistakes
10. to produce deep, low-pitched noise that lasts for several moments and changes in
to produce deep, low-pitched noise that lasts for several moments and changes in volume, such as thunder moving across the sky or a large drum being struck repeatedly
Thunder rolled across the valley as the storm approached the village.
roll + across/through [location]
In the temple courtyard, the great drums rolled slowly during the ceremony.
The cannons rolled across the harbour as the warship arrived.
A low rumble rolled through the tunnel when the train passed above.
subject is the sound itself (rumble/noise)
- thunder rolls
- drums roll
- roll across
- rumble
lower and more continuous; less about the build-and-fade quality
- reverberate
more formal; emphasises an echo or reflection of sound
Grammar Patterns
roll + adverb/preposition
Usage Note
Subject is usually a natural or artificial sound source such as thunder, drums, cannons, or an echo. The sound is continuous and low-pitched, not sharp or short.
Common Mistakes
11. to say the letter 'r' with a vibrating tongue tip that touches the area just beh
to say the letter 'r' with a vibrating tongue tip that touches the area just behind the upper teeth, creating a rapid trembling sound
In Spanish class, Mr. Rodríguez taught Saira how to roll her r's.
roll + possessive + r's (standard pattern)
When speaking Italian, you must roll the r sound in words like 'carro'.
Christopher could not roll his r's, so his Spanish accent sounded foreign.
To sound more natural in Portuguese, Beatriz practiced rolling her r's every morning.
practice + rolling one's r's
- roll one's r's
- cannot roll one's r's
- learn to roll one's r's
- trill
the technical linguistic term; less common in everyday speech
Grammar Patterns
roll + possessive + r's
Usage Note
Only used with the letter 'r' (or 'r's') as the object. Cannot be used with other letters. The trilled 'r' is common in languages such as Spanish, Italian, Russian, and Scottish English.
Common Mistakes
roll around
phrasal verbTo happen or arrive again after a period of time.
When summer rolls around, we go to the beach.
The next election will roll around in two years.
roll back
phrasal verbTo reduce or reverse something, such as prices or policies.
The company decided to roll back the price increase.
They rolled back the new rules after complaints.
roll down
phrasal verbTo move downward by turning or sliding.
The ball rolled down the hill.
Please roll down the car window.
roll in
phrasal verbTo arrive in large numbers or quantities.
Donations began to roll in after the appeal.
The clouds rolled in from the west.
roll out
phrasal verbTo officially introduce or launch a new product or service.
The company will roll out the new software next month.
They rolled out a new marketing campaign.
roll over
phrasal verbTo turn your body from one side to the other while lying down.
The baby rolled over onto her stomach.
He rolled over in bed and went back to sleep.
roll up
phrasal verbTo arrive, especially in a vehicle.
A taxi rolled up to the curb.
They rolled up late to the party.
To have a very large amount of money.
After winning the lottery, Mia was rolling in money.
His new business is so successful that he's rolling in it.
To begin or continue an activity or process.
Let's get the ball rolling on this project today.
Sara's question kept the ball rolling during the meeting.
People will be punished or lose their jobs because of a mistake.
Heads will roll for this accounting error.
If the project fails, heads will roll at the company.
let’s roll
idiomUsed to tell a group that it is time to start doing something or go somewhere.
The bus is here, so let's roll.
We've waited long enough; let's roll.
ready to roll
idiomPrepared to start an activity or journey.
The team is packed and ready to roll.
Is the presentation ready to roll?
rolled into one
idiomCombined in a single person or thing.
This app is a calculator and a calendar rolled into one.
She is a teacher, a mother, and a friend rolled into one.
Laughing very hard, especially in a theater or audience.
The comedian had the audience rolling in the aisles.
His joke made everyone roll in the aisles.
Used to say that a dead person would be very shocked or angry about something.
Grandfather would roll in his grave if he saw this.
The author would roll over in her grave at this film adaptation.
A person who moves often does not accumulate wealth or responsibilities.
He never stays in one job long; a rolling stone gathers no moss.
My brother travels constantly, but a rolling stone gathers no moss.
To be very easy to say or pronounce.
The name 'Luna' rolls off the tongue.
That phrase doesn't exactly trip off the tongue.
roll up your sleeves
idiomTo prepare to work hard or deal with a difficult task.
It's time to roll up our sleeves and clean the garage.
The team rolled up their sleeves and started the project.
To adapt to difficulties or changes without getting upset.
In this job, you have to roll with the punches.
When plans change, just roll with the punches.
roll on…!
idiomYou say this when you are excited for something to happen or come soon.
Roll on summer vacation! I can't wait to travel.
Roll on the weekend, said Maya as she finished her last exam.
roll — noun
- rollsingular
- rollsplural
1. a long, flat piece of paper, film, cloth, or similar material that has been woun
a long, flat piece of paper, film, cloth, or similar material that has been wound around itself so that it forms a tube
Putri bought three rolls of wrapping paper to finish packaging all her presents.
roll of [material] — quantity phrase
The old camera still had a roll of black-and-white film inside it.
A single roll of wallpaper was enough to cover the entire hallway wall.
Nkechi unrolled the kitchen towel roll and hung it on the holder.
The delivery truck carried five large rolls of carpet for the new hotel.
- a roll of [material]
- roll of film
- roll of paper
- roll of carpet
- roll of tape
Grammar Patterns
a roll of [material]
Usage Note
This sense is almost always preceded by a roll of — the container noun phrase that specifies the material.
2. a thick fold of extra flesh on a person's or animal's body, often resulting from
a thick fold of extra flesh on a person's or animal's body, often resulting from being overweight
The old bulldog had thick rolls of fat around its neck and chest.
rolls of fat — fixed collocation
Hana sucked in her stomach, but the roll of fat above her belt was visible.
The vet explained that the cat's rolls of fat could lead to health problems.
Xiu noticed a small roll of fat around the puppy's middle after months of overfeeding.
- rolls of fat
- roll of fat
- rolls of flesh
Usage Note
Almost always used in the plural (rolls of fat) when describing an overweight person or animal. The singular (a roll of fat) is used when referring to one specific fold.
Common Mistakes
3. a piece of baked bread that is small and round, made for a single person to eat
a piece of baked bread that is small and round, made for a single person to eat
Emre bought a warm bread roll from the bakery and ate it with butter.
bread roll — common compound
The sandwich was made with a crusty roll filled with ham and cheese.
At dinner, the waiter placed a basket of fresh rolls on the table.
Putri prefers soft white rolls over whole-wheat bread for her lunch.
Lucía sliced the roll in half, toasted it in the oven, and added cheese.
- bread roll
- dinner roll
- crusty roll
- soft roll
- warm roll
Usage Note
In British English, roll is the most common term; alternatives include bap (North England), bun (sweet or savoury), and cob (Midlands). In American English, a dinner roll or bread roll is standard.
4. an official list containing the names of people who belong to a particular group
an official list containing the names of people who belong to a particular group, class, or organisation
The teacher checked the class roll to see which students were absent.
class roll / school roll — typical in education
Hana's name was added to the honour roll after she finished top of her class.
Every citizen must be registered on the electoral roll before election day.
electoral roll — fixed term in politics
The lawyer's name was removed from the state roll of approved attorneys.
Andrei's name appeared on the roll of approved contractors for the city.
- class roll
- school roll
- electoral roll
- honour roll
- on the roll
- roll of members
Usage Note
Frequently found in compounds such as school roll, electoral roll, honour roll, and class roll. The roll implies authority — it is kept by the institution, not by an individual.
Common Mistakes
5. the process of reading out the names on an official list to find out who is pres
the process of reading out the names on an official list to find out who is present and who is absent
The teacher took the roll at the start of every morning class.
take the roll / call the roll — fixed phrases
Cole arrived late and missed the roll call, so the teacher marked him absent.
The sergeant called the roll before the soldiers began their morning training.
During roll call, each student answered 'here' when their name was announced.
roll call — compound noun
Roll was taken twice a day at summer camp to track the children.
- take the roll
- call the roll
- roll call
- miss roll call
- attendance check
more general; can be any method of checking who is present, not necessarily by reading names aloud
- headcount
focuses on counting the number of people rather than identifying each person by name
Usage Note
Used primarily in the fixed expressions take the roll, call the roll, and roll call. The verb take or call combines with the roll; the compound roll call can also stand alone as a noun.
6. the action of turning the body over on the ground, or of something turning over
the action of turning the body over on the ground, or of something turning over and over in a circular motion
The gymnast performed a perfect forward roll across the mat during her routine.
forward roll / backward roll — compound nouns in gymnastics
Xiu's son did a clumsy roll down the grassy hill and came up laughing.
The puppy did a happy roll in the mud and got dirt on its fur.
A single roll of the dice decided who would go first in the board game.
roll of the dice — common phrase
The log took a slow roll down the slope before stopping at the bottom.
- forward roll
- backward roll
- a roll of the dice
- do a roll
- log roll
- somersault
a specific acrobatic roll where the body turns head over heels; more dramatic than a simple roll
- tumble
implies a faster, less controlled rolling movement, often accidental
Usage Note
Distinguish from noun sense 1 (TUBE): this sense describes an action or motion, not a physical object. The phrases a roll of the dice and a roll of the ball are common in games and sports contexts.
7. sexual activity that two people share together briefly for enjoyment, without ex
sexual activity that two people share together briefly for enjoyment, without expecting a romantic relationship to develop
After the wedding party, Nala and Darius ended up having a roll in the hay.
phrase: a roll in the hay
Salma made it clear she wanted a real relationship, not a casual roll.
What started as a quick roll became a messy situation for both of them.
The novel opens with two strangers meeting at a bar and sharing a roll.
- have a roll
- a roll in the hay
- just a roll
- share a roll
- fling
suggests a brief romantic or sexual affair, not necessarily focused on physical enjoyment only
- one-night stand
specifically implies the encounter lasts only a single night, whereas 'roll' can repeat briefly
Usage Note
Informal and potentially offensive in some contexts. Often appears in the fixed phrase 'a roll in the hay' or 'a roll in the sack.' Not used in formal writing.
8. the side-to-side rocking movement of a ship, aircraft, or similar vehicle as it
the side-to-side rocking movement of a ship, aircraft, or similar vehicle as it moves forward through water or air
The ferry's heavy roll made several passengers grip their seats with white knuckles.
collocation: heavy roll
Pilots train for months to control an aircraft's roll during strong crosswinds.
Devika felt the boat's roll grow gentler as they entered the sheltered bay.
Engineers designed a stabilizer system that reduces the roll of cargo ships in rough seas.
A full roll — a complete rotation — is a basic acrobatic move for small planes.
domain-specific: flight maneuver sense
- heavy roll
- gentle roll
- ship's roll
- roll of the boat
- roll maneuver
Usage Note
Distinguish from 'pitch' (up-and-down movement of the bow/stern) and 'yaw' (left-right turning of the nose). In aviation, 'a roll' can also refer to a complete 360-degree rotation of the aircraft around its forward-facing axis.
9. a long, deep, repeated sound, produced especially by the quick beating of a drum
a long, deep, repeated sound, produced especially by the quick beating of a drum or by the rumbling of thunder
A roll of thunder shook the windows and sent the children running indoors.
collocation: a roll of thunder
The drummer played a fast roll that got the whole crowd clapping along.
Sirin heard a roll of drums as the parade marched around the corner.
collocation: a roll of drums
A low roll from the back of the stage built tension before the band began.
Deep rolls of thunder followed each flash of lightning across the dark sky.
- a roll of thunder
- a roll of drums
- drum roll
- roll of the organ
- deep roll
Usage Note
Commonly followed by 'of' plus the source of the sound: 'a roll of drums,' 'a roll of thunder.' The sound is typically prolonged and rhythmic (for drums) or rumbling and continuous (for thunder).
Word family
- roller
- rolling
- rollout
- unroll
- enroll
- enrollment
- payroll
- rollback
- roller coaster
- rolling pin
- rolling stock
- role
Common collocations
Etymology
roll 源自中古英語 rollen，來自古法語 ro(u)ler「滾動；使旋轉」，更早可追溯至拉丁語 rotulus / rotula「小輪子」（源自 rota「輪子」）。現代英語 roll 的核心意象——球體沿面滾動、車輛行進、波浪起伏，乃至名詞的卷狀物、名冊與轟鳴聲——都與「繞軸旋轉」這個原始概念緊密相連。