roller coaster

¹

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

²

[roh-ler-koh-ster, roh-li-]

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

noun

1. another term for big dipper

Word History and Origins

Origin of roller coaster¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Origin of roller coaster²

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

But for as long as you’re out there hustling, have fun on the roller coaster and appreciate every moment you get paid to do what you love.

From Los Angeles Times

I was having ups and downs, but a big roller coaster of emotions, trying to adjust to what I'd done and where I'm going next.

From BBC

"University is definitely a roller coaster. There was a point I wanted to drop out, but now I can definitely see the fruits of my labour."

From BBC

Six Flags Magic Mountain’s “Superman: Escape from Krypton,” once among the fastest and tallest roller coasters in the world, has reportedly taken its final flight.

From Los Angeles Times

"It's like being on the worst roller coaster ride of your life... you've got constant anxiety but without an explanation for it, that's the hardest thing to deal with."

From BBC