roller-coaster

1 of 2

adjective

roll·​er-coast·​er ˈrō-lər-ˌkō-stər How to pronounce roller-coaster (audio)
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 How to pronounce roller coaster (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
In other words, a roller-coaster ride. Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 12 Sep. 2025 As a group, HQ Portfolio stocks have delivered better returns with less risk than the benchmark; less of a roller-coaster ride, as shown in HQ Portfolio performance metrics. Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
Failing to do so will result in extreme price swings that may cause shareholders to rule the company out all together, preferring not to ride that roller coaster of emotion. Zev Fima, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2025 As Laurie, Coon took fans on a roller coaster ride of a girls' trip on the third season of The White Lotus. Carson Blackwelder, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for roller-coaster

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1940, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1883, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of roller-coaster was in 1883

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Cite this Entry

“Roller-coaster.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/roller-coaster. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

roller coaster

noun
roll·​er coast·​er ˈrō-lər-ˌkō-stər How to pronounce roller coaster (audio)
ˈrō-lē-ˌkō-
: an elevated railway (as in an amusement park) with sharp curves and steep slopes on which cars roll
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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