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; see roll, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Example Sentences

“A newer classic old Hollywood style pool with arched fountains, surrounded by rolling lawns, specimen trees, rose gardens and dramatic views from the Observatory to Ocean sunsets,” the original listing description said.

From MarketWatch • May 19, 2026

But Deadline reports that cameras are already rolling.

From Salon • May 18, 2026

Even so, two years after rolling out with MacBook Pros, M-Series chips that lack a GPU core are used in the cheaper iPad Air.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026

“In addition, this project will help strengthen our regional and state electric grid capacity and prevent the kinds of rolling blackouts that we’ve seen in past years and that have negatively impacted businesses and residents.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 17, 2026

He didn’t have to look back at Katherine to know that she was probably rolling her eyes, mouthing the words, “Really, we’re not related. Not by blood.”

From "Found" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Related Words

• hilly
• undulating