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

In 2018 the film A Simple Favor, starring Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively, took us on a roller-coaster ride. —Hannah Madlener, Glamour, 2 May 2025

The Celtics have won 23 of their last 28 playoff games dating back to the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals, the series that will forever be remembered as the weirdest roller-coaster and near-comeback. —Shane Young, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025

Noun

Wall Street has been on a roller coaster, the federal workforce is being slashed, diversity programs and even paper straws have been banned across the federal government, wide-ranging tariffs have been implemented and there’s been a nationwide crackdown on immigration. —Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025

The emotional roller coaster ends with a wide shot of Ellie and her patrol partner Jesse (Young Mazino) towing Joel’s body toward Jackson burning in the distance. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 21 Apr. 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