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 provided better returns with less risk versus the benchmark index; less of a roller-coaster ride as evident in HQ Portfolio performance metrics. —Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025

Markets are on a destructive roller-coaster ride across the globe, while inflation — and the cost of production — is rising. —Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 15 May 2025

Noun

Miral’s Yas Island is currently home to hotels, Warner Bros. World theme park, and Ferrari World theme park, home to the world’s fastest roller coaster which reaches speeds of 149 mph. —Carly Caramanna, Travel + Leisure, 7 May 2025

The park will be home to multiple record-breaking roller coasters including Falcon's Flight, the tallest, fastest and longest in the world. —Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 5 May 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