rolling

American  

[roh-ling] / ˈroʊ lɪŋ /

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.

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

---

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

OTTAWA—Employers in Canada for a second straight month shed jobs, partially rolling back a jump in hiring seen last fall and pushing the jobless rate back up following a dip to start the year.

From The Wall Street Journal

The other issue: If you visit friends who aren’t EV owners, you’re rolling the dice on whether their home’s electrical system can charge your vehicle, even if you bring your own charger.

From The Wall Street Journal

The mixed signals of rolling out policy incentives while issuing warnings "reflects the authorities' cautious tolerance towards 'lobster fever'," Zhang Yi, founder of tech consultancy iiMedia, told AFP.

From Barron's

They are piloting working with retailers and are in the process of rolling out its circular model to parents at home.

From BBC

Frantic efforts to get in touch with parents and siblings to discuss their options were sometimes foiled by the rolling internet blackouts at home.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• hilly
• undulating