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

Tesla is rolling out its “most affordable” version of the Cybertruck as the electric-vehicle maker attempts to turn things around for its futuristic pickup truck.

From MarketWatch

As the film gets rolling, via flashbacks, it rolls right off the tracks.

From The Wall Street Journal

When the singer announces he’s rolling out a new tune—so new he has to read the lyrics off a sheet of paper—it’s 1972’s “Burning Love,” his last top-10 hit.

From The Wall Street Journal

By that point, Illinois was already rolling, well on their way to a 101-65 victory that left USC gasping for air.

From Los Angeles Times

“These rolling teacher strikes have certainly elevated the awareness of the challenges our educators face,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• hilly
• undulating