rolling

[roh-ling]

noun

1. the action, motion, or sound of anything that rolls.

adjective

1. moving by revolving or turning over and over.

2. rising and falling in gentle slopes, as land.

   rolling hills.

3. moving in undulating billows, as clouds or waves.

   Jessica felt a peace steal over her as she watched the rolling waves.

4. rocking or swaying from side to side.

   The rolling movement of the train car lulled most of the passengers to sleep.

5. turning or folding over, as a collar.

6. producing a deep, continuous sound.

   rolling thunder.

7. steadily moving onward in a series of stages.

   a rolling program of renovations.

rolling

/ ˈrəʊlɪŋ /

adjective

1. having gentle rising and falling slopes; undulating

   rolling country

2. progressing or spreading by stages or by occurrences in different places in succession, with continued or increasing effectiveness

   three weeks of rolling strikes disrupted schools

3. subject to regular review and updating

   a rolling plan for overseas development

4. deeply resounding; reverberating

   rolling thunder

5. slang,  extremely rich

6. that may be turned up or down

   a rolling hat brim

adverb

1. slang,  swaying or staggering (in the phrase rolling drunk )

Other Word Forms

• rollingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of rolling¹

First recorded in 1400–50; Late Middle English; roll, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. rolling in (something), luxuriating or abounding in (something, especially money).

   As a nonprofit, the Tandy Academy of Music is not exactly rolling in cash.

2. rolling (in the aisles), (of an audience or audience member) convulsed with laughter: Also in the aisles

   Arden had her audience in tears with one song, then rolling in the aisles with her humor.

Example Sentences

"I'm not sure I envisioned the goal - but when it was rolling back to him on his left foot, I knew he would score."

Read more on BBC

He used the fast-food chain for another useful purpose on Monday as he spoke to franchise owners about rolling back the destructive Obama joint-employer rule.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“Ha. Ha,” I sarcastically sign, bringing two fingers to my palm while rolling my eyes.

Read more on Literature

“If we ask Old Timothy to explain, he will do this,” Beowulf grunted enigmatically, and walked away, in a fine imitation of Old Timothy’s rolling, bowlegged gait.

Read more on Literature

Then his rolling gait retreated into the fog as the great red Bloomer engine huffed into the station, billowing steam.

Read more on Literature

Related Words

• hilly 
• undulating