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

March’s stronger-than-expected job gains – the biggest since December 2024 – could merely be just another crest in a roller-coaster-like corkscrew of jobs reports. —Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026

Eastern temperature roller-coaster ride The eastern United States will see a roller-coaster ride of temperatures over the next several days. —Doyle Rice, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026

Noun

The roller coaster has been closed for refurbishment since January 2025. —Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2026

But the clash between the Dodgers and Blue Jays on Monday at Rogers Centre was far from the roller coaster of Game 7 of the World Series. —Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 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