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

Culpa mía was the start of a roller-coaster journey for Wallace. — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026

That’s the rhythm, the moral and spiritual roller-coaster of perfecting our imperfect union. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026

Noun

Goliath features a waist restraint but has no over-the-shoulder harness like some other roller coasters –– a secondary restraint Avery believes should be considered. — Isa Mudannayake, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026

Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem was at the Six Flags park with several family members to celebrate his niece's birthday and was sitting beside his niece when he was ejected from the Goliath roller coaster, a relative told ABC News. — ABC News, 16 Oct. 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