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

The case, which is mirrored in other states including Illinois and Oregon, has provided a roller-coaster of rulings and counter-rulings, as lower court judges have issued orders that are then modified, overturned or paused by appellate courts. —Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 13 Dec. 2025

Cal’s roller-coaster season will end in Honolulu on Christmas Eve. —Laurence Miedema, Mercury News, 4 Dec. 2025

Noun

The roller coaster is the other big draw. —Tamara Shopsin, Travel + Leisure, 16 Dec. 2025

Buy a 2026 season pass for Kentucky Kingdom Theme & Water Park and lock in unlimited rides on Flying Fox, the new $14 million family-friendly roller coaster that is opening next spring. —Kirby Adams, Louisville Courier Journal, 15 Dec. 2025

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