roller-coaster

1 of 2

adjective

roll·​er-coast·​er ˈrō-lər-ˌkō-stər 

ˈrō-lə-ˌkō-

: marked by numerous ups and downs

an entertainer's roller-coaster career

roller coaster

2 of 2

noun

roll·​er coast·​er ˈrō-lər-ˌkō-stər 

ˈrō-lē-ˌkō-

1

: an elevated railway (as in an amusement park) constructed with sharp curves and steep inclines on which cars roll

2

: something resembling a roller coaster

especially : behavior, events, or experiences characterized by sudden and extreme changes

an emotional roller coaster

Examples of roller-coaster in a Sentence

Noun

We went for a ride on the roller coaster.

The divorce was an emotional roller coaster for both of them.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

As a group, HQ Portfolio stocks have delivered better returns with less risk versus the benchmark—less of a roller-coaster ride—as shown in HQ Portfolio performance metrics. —Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025

Already Guerrero seems to be able to convey of-the-moment phrasings and character directions with a few emphatic motions—a roller-coaster swoop here, a waggle of the fingers there—and get an immediate response from the choristers. —Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025

Noun

This season has been a roller coaster for San Diego. —Fernando Ramirez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025

The singles felt more mature than certain other versions (*cough* like in the U.S.), and even though most of them crashed and burned, the ride was a spectacular roller coaster. —Laura Bradley, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1940, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1883, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for roller-coaster

• paternoster
• coaster
• poster
• roaster
• toaster

Kids Definition

roller coaster

noun

roll·​er coast·​er ˈrō-lər-ˌkō-stər 

ˈrō-lē-ˌkō-

: an elevated railway (as in an amusement park) with sharp curves and steep slopes on which cars roll