roach

[ rohch ]

/ roʊtʃ /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR roach ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a cockroach.

Slang. the butt of a marijuana cigarette.

Nearby words

rnzn, ro, ro-ro, ro., roa, roach, roach back, roach clip, roached, road, road agent

Origin of roach

1830–40, Americanism; 1940–45, Americanism for def 2; short form of cockroach

Definition for roach (2 of 4)

roach

[ rohch ]

/ roʊtʃ /

noun, plural roach·es, (especially collectively) roach.

a European freshwater fish, Rutilus rutilus, of the carp family.

any of various similar fishes, as the golden shiner.

a freshwater sunfish of the genus Lepomis, found in eastern North America.

Origin of roach

1275–1325; Middle English roche < Old French < ?

Definition for roach (3 of 4)

roach

[ rohch ]

/ roʊtʃ /

noun

Nautical.

the upward curve at the foot of a square sail.
(loosely) a convexity given to any of the edges of a sail; round.

hair combed up from the forehead or temples in a roll or high curve.

verb (used with object)

to clip or cut off (the mane of a horse); hog.

to comb (hair) into a roach.

Origin of roach

First recorded in 1785–95; origin uncertain

Definition for roach (4 of 4)

Roach

[ rohch ]

/ roʊtʃ /

noun

MaxwellMax, 1924–2007, U.S. jazz drummer and bandleader.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for roach

Will crunchy parents be running to the pet stores for roach farms?
More Germs, Less Asthma? Study Shows Babies Exposed to Bacteria and Dander at Less Risk|Brandy Zadrozny|June 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
You are what you eat,” Roach writes, “but more than that, you are how you eat.
How to Think With Your Gut|Mindy Farabee|April 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST
“Sure,” the one guy says, and passes over a roach (the end of a joint).
Getting a Mile High: Legally Stoned in Colorado After Initiative 64|Winston Ross|January 19, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Each bowed his or her head, and Roach responded in turn with a warm, toothy smile.
Buddhist Retreat’s Death Saga|Lizzie Crocker|July 10, 2012|DAILY BEAST

One morning after meditation, Roach sought me out amidst commotion in the room.
Buddhist Retreat’s Death Saga|Lizzie Crocker|July 10, 2012|DAILY BEAST
This I am aware is the regulation mode amongst Thames and Lea roach anglers; but its clumsiness always forbade my cultivating it.
Lines in Pleasant Places|William Senior
The most unique character of all was Maj. Roach or old Quicker-nor-that as he became known.
Drum Taps in Dixie|Delavan S. Miller
It is formed of cheap mixed metal, was found in London, and presented to the collection by Mr. Roach Smith.
Rambles of an Archaeologist Among Old Books and in Old Places|Frederick William Fairholt
It is right to say that Mr. Roach Smith utterly rejects the second story.
A Week's Tramp in Dickens-Land|William R. Hughes
The Roach is a handsome fish, and when taken of the size of half a pound or a pound, are not such bad eating as is said of them.
Blacker's Art of Fly Making, &c.|William Blacker

British Dictionary definitions for roach (1 of 4)

roach

/ (rəʊtʃ) /

noun plural roaches or roach

a European freshwater cyprinid food fish, Rutilus rutilus, having a deep compressed body and reddish ventral and tail fins

any of various similar fishes

Word Origin for roach

C14: from Old French roche, of obscure origin

British Dictionary definitions for roach (2 of 4)

roach

/ (rəʊtʃ) /

noun

short for cockroach

slang the butt of a cannabis cigarette

British Dictionary definitions for roach (3 of 4)

roach

/ (rəʊtʃ) /

noun nautical

the amount by which the leech of a fore-and-aft sail projects beyond an imaginary straight line between the clew and the head

the curve at the foot of a square sail

Word Origin for roach

C18: of unknown origin

British Dictionary definitions for roach (4 of 4)

Roach

/ (rəʊtʃ) /

noun

Hal, full name Harald Eugene Roach . 1892–1992, US film producer, whose company produced numerous comedy films in the 1920s and 1930s, including those featuring Harold Lloyd and Laurel and Hardy

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012