rolling

American  

[roh-ling] / ˈroʊ lɪŋ /

noun

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

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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.

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.

rolling British  

/ 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

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adverb

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

Other Word Forms

• rollingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of rolling

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

Example Sentences

The U.S. economy made it through Covid inflation and tariffs without rolling over.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

I didn’t want to risk us finding that out when the cameras were rolling.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

Instead, Europe is considering rolling back carbon regulations.

From Slate • Apr. 1, 2026

Set the dough on a sheet of parchment paper and cover with an additional sheet before shaping the crackers with a rolling pin.

From Salon • Mar. 31, 2026

The rest of the movie, you share snacks with Lucy, rolling your eyes together at a cringey line, whispering about sea turtles and climate change.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Related Words

• hilly
• undulating