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

It's been a roller-coaster season thus far for San Francisco, which has endured skids of three and four games under rookie manager Tony Vitello. —ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026

However, markets have been on a roller-coaster ride since the conflict began, with the broad market index down more than 9% from its high at one point. —Darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026

Noun

During a press conference on Thursday, April 16, Wiseman, Glover and Koch, talked about their roller coaster of emotions since coming home. —Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 18 Apr. 2026

The NightFlight Expedition and Mission Bermuda attractions are not classified as roller coasters by Roller Coaster Database. —Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 17 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1891, 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