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, as he did when also draining an eagle to get into a play-off at the Irish Open in September, he punched the air and roared with delight.

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Evans slotted a penalty to the delight of the Principality Stadium crowd - whose roars let Tandy know that a 10-Test losing streak on home soil had been ended.

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The “silent engine” may not roar—but it could hum steadily.

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The “silent engine” may not roar—but it could hum steadily.

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Bellingham was left kicking his heels for 65 minutes, until he was introduced to a huge roar from England's fans.

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Related Words

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