roller coaster

¹ 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.

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roller-coaster ² 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.

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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 British  

noun

1. another term for big dipper

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Etymology

Origin of roller coaster¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Origin of roller-coaster¹

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

Bitcoin’s struggles come as equity markets have been roiled by AI worries hitting software stocks and metals markets have also been on a roller coaster.

From MarketWatch

At first, these trolley parks were simply gardens and picnicking grounds, but in time other attractions and rides like roller coasters and Ferris wheels were added.

From The Wall Street Journal

“In short, a geopolitical roller coaster and surging Japanese government bond yields across the curve are likely the major factors driving the recent cryptocurrency downturn,” Samer Hasn, senior market analyst at XS.com, told MarketWatch.

From MarketWatch

“In short, a geopolitical roller coaster and surging Japanese government bond yields across the curve are likely the major factors driving the recent cryptocurrency downturn,” Samer Hasn, senior market analyst at XS.com, told MarketWatch.

From MarketWatch

Legoland, for instance, will this March open a new land in Lego Galaxy with a family roller coaster as its signature attraction.

From Los Angeles Times