roar

American  

[rawr, rohr] / rɔr, roʊr /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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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

Related Words

See cry.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of roar

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

Explanation

To roar is to make a ferociously loud sound, like a lion or a tiger. If you go to a football game, you'll hear the crowd roar whenever their team scores a goal. A wild animal roars when it makes its long, full cry, and a person (or a thing) can emit a similar roar. Your boisterous uncle roars with laughter, and the frustrated substitute teacher might roar angrily at the class. Motorcycles sometimes roar down the street, and a judge might silence a courtroom when she roars, "Order!" Roar can also act as a noun, meaning the sound itself — like the roar of the crowd that drowns out your voice. Roar comes from an imitative Old English root.

Example Sentences

The issue may yet roar back on to the agenda in the campaign for the next general election, which must be held by August 2029.

From BBC • May 9, 2026

A sport built to the glory of the internal combustion engine and propelled by the roar of the V-12 was hurtling into an era of electric vehicles and corporate responsibility.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

He needed to roar about his many accomplishments in his 35-year career in Sacramento and Washington, to distinguish himself from the relative political neophytes around him.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

When I drove up, the gate was open, though there were no other cars; from its dull roar, I could tell the plant was not totally idle.

From Slate • Apr. 20, 2026

There was a tremendous groan and roar as they shot forward and up.

From "Wolfie & Fly" by Cary Fagan

Related Words

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