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

Example Sentences

But there are always exceptions, and analysts expect many of this year’s worst performers to come roaring back with double-digit gains in 2026.

From MarketWatch

The mouse can roar, but not for long.

From The Wall Street Journal

If a data center wants to roar like a jet engine all night, that’s the deal.

From Salon

The roar was one of both relief and joy for a player who is finally settling into life on Merseyside.

From BBC

Nearby residents described how “the storm roared and the house was shaking” when the twister spun through.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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