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 yielded better returns with reduced risk in comparison to the benchmark index; there was less of a roller-coaster experience, as demonstrated in HQ Portfolio performance metrics. —Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026

That roller-coaster ride was perfected on Apollo 8, and was used successfully on each of the other eight lunar missions that followed. —Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 29 Jan. 2026

Noun

Tony Romo's broadcasting career has been like a roller coaster. —Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 27 Jan. 2026

Ride roller coasters at Busch Gardens or take on epic waterslides at one of Williamsburg's best water parks. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 27 Jan. 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