roller-coaster

¹ American  

[roh-ler-koh-ster, roh-li-] / ˈroʊ lərˌkoʊ stər, ˈroʊ lɪ- /

verb (used without object)

1. to go up and down like a roller coaster; rise and fall.

   a narrow road roller-coastering around the mountain; a light boat roller-coastering over the waves.

2. to experience a period of prosperity, happiness, security, or the like, followed by a contrasting period of economic depression, despair, or the like.

   The economy was roller-coastering throughout most of the decade.

---

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of a roller coaster.

2. resembling the progress of a ride on a roller coaster in sudden extreme changeableness.

roller coaster ² American  

noun

1. a small gravity railroad, especially in an amusement park, having a train with open cars that moves along a high, sharply winding trestle built with steep inclines that produce sudden, speedy plunges for thrill-seeking passengers.

2. a car or train of cars for such a railroad.

3. any phenomenon, period, or experience of persistent or violent ups and downs, as one fluctuating between prosperity and recession or elation and despair.

---

roller coaster British  

noun

1. another term for big dipper

---

Etymology

Origin of roller-coaster¹

First recorded in 1960–65

Origin of roller coaster¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

The weekend’s haul likely comes as a relief to theater owners, who have weathered a roller coaster year.

From Los Angeles Times

But we can’t know the true state of the economy for 2026, given the roller coaster of data related to the changing tariff situation throughout the year.

From Barron's

“We expect this roller coaster has many twists and turns and the winner will reshape the media landscape as we know it by integrating some of the most iconic studio and streaming assets,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Their decision to list the home again marks the latest twist in what has been a roller coaster real estate ride for the property, which Alec, 67, purchased for just $1.75 million in 1995.

From MarketWatch

It’s like comparing a roller coaster to an escalator.

From The Wall Street Journal