roar

[rawr, rohr]

verb (used without object)

1. to utter a loud, deep cry or howl, as in excitement, distress, or anger.

   Synonyms: yell, bawl

2. to laugh loudly or boisterously.

   to roar at a joke.

3. to make a loud sound or din, as thunder, cannon, waves, or wind.

   Synonyms: peal, thunder, boom, resound

4. to function or move with a loud, deep sound, as a vehicle.

   The automobile roared away.

5. to make a loud noise in breathing, as a horse.

verb (used with object)

1. to utter or express in a roar.

   to roar denials.

2. to bring, put, make, etc., by roaring.

   to roar oneself hoarse.

noun

1. a loud, deep cry or howl, as of an animal or a person.

   the roar of a lion.

2. a loud, confused, constant noise or sound; din; clamor.

   the roar of the surf; the roar of lively conversation from the crowded party.

3. a loud outburst.

   a roar of laughter; a roar of approval from the audience.

roar

/ rɔː /

verb

1. (of lions and other animals) to utter characteristic loud growling cries

2. (also tr) (of people) to utter (something) with a loud deep cry, as in anger or triumph

3. to laugh in a loud hearty unrestrained manner

4. (of horses) to breathe with laboured rasping sounds See roaring

5. (of the wind, waves, etc) to blow or break loudly and violently, as during a storm

6. (of a fire) to burn fiercely with a roaring sound

7. (of a machine, gun, etc) to operate or move with a loud harsh noise

8. (tr) to bring (oneself) into a certain condition by roaring

   to roar oneself hoarse

noun

1. a loud deep cry, uttered by a person or crowd, esp in anger or triumph

2. a prolonged loud cry of certain animals, esp lions

3. any similar noise made by a fire, the wind, waves, artillery, an engine, etc

4. a loud unrestrained burst of laughter

Other Word Forms

• roarer noun
• outroar verb (used with object)
• underroarer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of roar¹

before 900; Middle English roren (v.), Old English rārian; cognate with Old High German rēren to bellow

Word History and Origins

Origin of roar¹

Old English rārian ; related to Old High German rērēn , Middle Dutch reren

Synonym Study

See cry.

Example Sentences

And, at one point midpiece, it sounded as though one of the pianists was making a grand entrance to a Rachmaninoff concerto amid the beautiful roaring din.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

EVs pose a particular challenge for luxury sports-car brands, which say roar and rumble are central to their identities and appeal.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

First, authorities charged Uber driver Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, with intentionally setting a fire on Jan. 1 that, days later, would roar to life as the Palisades fire.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Intense winds on Jan. 7 — which had been predicted by the National Weather Service before that day — reignited the fire and sent it roaring into Pacific Palisades and Malibu.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The blast turned the night skies across the South Bay bright orange and sent out a roar that reverberated for miles.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• barrage 
• blast 
• boom 
• clamor 
• cry 
• drum 
• explosion 
• outcry 
• rumble 
• shout 
• thunder 
• uproar