roller skate

¹

noun

1. a form of skate with four wheels or rollers instead of a runner, for use on a sidewalk or other surface offering traction.

roller-skate

²

Or roll·er·skate

[roh-ler-skeyt]

verb (used without object)

roller-skated, roller-skating 

1. to glide about by means of roller skates.

roller skate

noun

1. a boot or shoe with four small wheels attached that enable the wearer to glide swiftly over a floor or other surface

2. a device having clamps or straps for attaching such wheels to a boot or shoe

verb

1. (intr) to move on roller skates

Other Word Forms

• roller skater noun
• rollerskater noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of roller skate¹

An Americanism dating back to 1860–65

Origin of roller skate²

First recorded in 1870–75; v. use of roller skate